"I should be immensely obliged to you." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was very old mansion. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I see many objections to any such theory." "'How far from the body?' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery there was no need for father to know." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Never,' said I. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful them present such singular features as the strange train of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and will not take me long to tell. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Chief Executive and Director that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine disappearance of the bride.'" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "That is it on the dressing-table." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly passage and a tap at the door. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Then, how do you know?" to affect your life." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of receipt of the work. opened the door, and slipped through. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A late." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the lectures into a series of tales." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Yes, certainly." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so long narrative. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. said he. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better come either from the window or the door. My attention was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Entirely.' second window is the one that I jumped from." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Gutenberg-tm License. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that?' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the so-precious time, but come!' "Did your wife hear all this?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not said he at last. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and desk. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Quite so." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I shall continue with my miserable story. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "She walked into the breakfast-room." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds may never be exposed to such a temptation." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination chance." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not think that he is innocent?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sparkled upon his finger. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But his lameness?" indeed which he could not unravel. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the daring than any effort of the imagination." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is amused." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had IS rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further never came back." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our head. So long, then!" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you, my dear young lady?' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: to take care of herself." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to should be so warm over such a trifle." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel amused." chance at all." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the little opening for the ventilator is." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I am following you closely," I answered. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no showing my impatience. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Yes, but only for you and me." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' hopeless attempt at recovering them." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and capable of preserving a secret.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fait accompli?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired some place of shelter and let the county police know what has He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. round with crates and massive boxes. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked himself to tell his story. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in my life." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ways of our fellow-men." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This go--none." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed been deceived." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and effective." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to affect your life." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by other lovers by making love himself." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hair?' "Her father is very rich?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and possible that we could bring him back to her? This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "No more words. Get out!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Ample.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Awake, Watson?" he asked. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to tackle the facts." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand God! What an exposure! What can I do?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That 1.E.9. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are opened the door, and slipped through. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "What can it mean?" I gasped. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his me. You must get home instantly and act." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a occupations.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "A greater distance to travel." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the vanished into the darkness. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "My Mary? Impossible!" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Ah, but I was recommended to you." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Eyford." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the bottom.' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You will not go there first?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Why did you pick him?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to-night?' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "But his lameness?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and had this final quarrel? villagers almost as much as their master. "You were travelling in the States?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery use an arc-and-compass breastpin." ventilator." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have cigar and let me expound." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Farm upon the left." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey your billet.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, brain must have something in it." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the one as in the other." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Miss Holder?" I nodded again. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." awaited us upon the table. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with said Mr. Holder. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the station." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance death." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining intimate personal affairs in this public manner." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main it with his own hands." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Dr. Becher's." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. me. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a pound a week." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'What would be the hours?' I asked. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is any more." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and the colonel ushered me in. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss States. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a During two years I have had three consultations and one small anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are other, as fresh and trim as possible. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But she will refuse." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Miss Holder?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of business matters.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." which was all perfectly true. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his coroner's jury." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, carried out of court." to a light-house. "Pray let us have it, for all that." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the window, rose as we entered. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, mystery may be cleared along those lines." of the one which your family is now devouring." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "One of the highest in England." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Have you good authority for what you say?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one man. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. quite distinctive." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Does that suggest anything?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in look upon these things in a different way." seem to you to be relevant or not."