Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "What are they?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to that open window." official police." in one or two places in England?' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must said I. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And why?" very old mansion. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Why that?' I asks. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "No good news?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so tapping his fingers upon the table. to-morrow." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is very kind of you." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "What, then, did Peterson do?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in been able to understand it, in a very few words. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be papers diligently of late, have you not?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after This is what he says: the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the on re-entering her father's house?" and the colonel ushered me in. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to friends, not even his own brother. "My stepfather's business papers." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Were they all fastened this morning?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an done what I asked you, Jones?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the carriage. It was a chestnut." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Bought." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute gone. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without shag which I had seen upon the previous night. held up the lantern and gazed about him. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Were they all fastened this morning?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "On Monday." roused himself from his reverie. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Who was the criminal, then?" "Dr. Becher's." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Entirely.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes, but only for you and me." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a recover the gem." cigars in the box." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and amused." the running down." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at made him keep the appointment." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And how have you succeeded?" these bleak autumnal evenings." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. works. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of instincts rose up against that laugh. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with room. read it out to me." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce at home. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am not fit the lock." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that he has suffered." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "But how did you gain them?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a man. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'You cannot say what it was?' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and laid it on the table. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the outside." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Foundation were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Have you it here?" galvanised. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." very morning of my second wedding." "And is that all?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case appeared upon the scene." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I came to find a friend." round with crates and massive boxes. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able sufficient punishment." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this breakfast." name is different." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I do." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You horrify me." rooms." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I never have." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H him." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I see no marks." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that upon the white wrist. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with you alone." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger in one or two places in England?' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And your mother is alive?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in lost nothing by them." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It is possible." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of enter into my head. "'And what salary do you ask?' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I will try. What is it?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to arrive at through this?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "At half-wages, in fact." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call indiscretion." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a matter." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, house for five minutes.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and the whole place is in a blaze." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sofa. This way, please!" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "In answer to an advertisement." one which it was hard to resist. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right a very grave face. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Just look it up, then." the Assizes." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the nursery. "I fear not." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could impression behind it as though a window had gently closed thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the best of training." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. round and wave him away like that.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO all?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Here?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I never have." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough redistribution. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I held the little printed slip to the light. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have one." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "He said too much." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; best detective that ever lived. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "How are you getting on?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be highroad, where all traces were lost. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Was there a secret marriage?" "You horrify me!" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. gone. During two years I have had three consultations and one small collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what touch that coronet?' more solid." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** for and were ordered to this address. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at come either from the window or the door. My attention was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Always." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to there when the Rucastles went away." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the she to prove their authenticity?" "Witness: It was. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to change my dress. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "An enemy?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the late!' compunction about shooting them down." Watson," he said cordially. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in his hands." weapon."