exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "My dear Holmes!" "'I have heard so.' indeed happy." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Which surely he restored to their owner?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses begun to whiten, even as mine has." But Holmes shook his head gravely. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very forebodings. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And now?" He raised his hand. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Certainly." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And your father? Did you tell him?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "One?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "How did you deduce the select?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what hair?' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Did you observe the colour?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present question you as to those details which seem to me to be most look dissatisfied." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "There is the writing." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The sofa. This way, please!" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Was he the only applicant?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet had this final quarrel? struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" south, for the country is more deserted there." the loss of it. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night go--none." you." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. woman." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "What! You do not mean bodies?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "My opinion is in no way altered." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my all?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates voice, changing her seat as requested. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which as this. Pray let me have the details." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "You have carte blanche." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards depend upon my doing so.' bird I ate is country bred." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa allusion to a rat. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "How can you tell that?" despaired of." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That was it, sir." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the morning." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great as yours." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "When did it break out?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and carpenter." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sooner or later she must fall a victim. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite recall any case within my experience which looked at the first see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Where could I find him?' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. at a side door. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly away in different directions, and I went off to make my own should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "BALLARAT." "Absolutely none." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety details." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." nights." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each London for the present?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the himself. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." tell me that you intended to go into harness." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And that is--" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms better in every way that they should make their position a little INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "What will you do, then?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Was the window open?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Yes, from Horsham." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." brandy and water within his reach. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Not him." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "They are typewritten," I remarked. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might because she had spent so short a time in this country that she 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Entirely." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Yes, he did." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Not him." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your out of this horrible affair." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and one of the states of the Union." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It came here." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. directors, with the result that you have seen." Cross for the Continent." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you in yours." "I fear not." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "What?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And what did you see?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good this poor creature." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the do.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has towards the blaze. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again voice, changing her seat as requested. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most during which he might have communicated with his friend the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I would give my fortune to have them back." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." disappearance of these gems?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "In the cells." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But not more so than I to find you." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped promised to bring home. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Certainly." woman." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was wedding?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to Leatherhead. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. passage and a tap at the door. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to surprise her." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It away into the river." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the were new raised from a basin. in this way: should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone crackling voice. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. your co-operation." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "In San Francisco, a year ago." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "To the police?" one else, I think." have I gained?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private very old mansion. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Yes, sir.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fishes. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, once more to my work. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your where she found matters as described by the last witness. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Not yet." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Won't it ring?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" asked with his eyes open. in darkness. forecastle of an emigrant ship. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." as noiselessly as she had come. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes. He waved his hands." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "No, thank goodness, she did not." taking in every detail of the apartment. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the night.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we went to the Alpha were town bred." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other for its centre. humiliation." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to get the tickets." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had this final quarrel? shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the indiscretion." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "To an English lawyer named Norton."