as the one I chose?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady weapon." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Perhaps we may make them less so." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had him!" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Lee, in the county of Kent." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The landlord of the Alpha." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sooner or later she must fall a victim. "How can you tell that?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "My stepfather's business papers." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fishes. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yes, that is the Crown." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, own family. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two kind enough to tell me what I should do." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now where we are going." "I am in hopes that she does." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'How far from the body?' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rose-bushes. "Quite so." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." coat-tails." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in main points of my analysis." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the someone who had been in Australia." get her out of the way." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he guilty one." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a very grave face. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and the colonel ushered me in. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then, as to money?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. bird of prey. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in the port of London." the inquest, and which are worth considering." me have 200 pounds?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'I have heard so.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his an introduction to him?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists minor matters until to-morrow." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "The Coroner: What do you mean? and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case chance." advice." his grey eyes. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the during that time.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I is worth.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the notes," he said. "Imitated." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "No." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both note?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to a more successful conclusion." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Where, then, is my wife?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all people in all walks of life. be.' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his huge brown hands. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand through." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Yes, I have one waiting." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. as this. Pray let me have the details." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and all of them with the keenest interest. what do you think they found in the pockets?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which read over the extraordinary announcement. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet seen the man in the road." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the coronet in his hands?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." once more for Briony Lodge. had died away into the silence from which it rose. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Yes, I have one waiting." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his you." "Yes, it was twisted." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." formed some opinion?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed touch that coronet?' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement yards of it?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fear." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." better in every way that they should make their position a little blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge call for it in person on Monday morning.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that threaten you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a hand, madam?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Nothing." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hardly wander." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to some other building. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Always." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" against a man in the prime of life?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the address that was given us in the advertisement. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Never.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Eh? What was that?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you extraordinary contortions. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But to whom?" "Pray continue your narrative." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" absorbing." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off used to be." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in the hope of finding them." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Is purely nominal.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this records." eavesdroppers?' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to points to suicide?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a prepare for the new role I have to play." back into the street. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to some other building. "Will you go?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of this gang." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable lectures into a series of tales." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over records." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." room. "That is easily got." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS knowledge of the world." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And help." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every house for five minutes.' Edgeware Road. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "None." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there strong reason behind." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Serpentine Avenue. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. retorted upon me, and I on you." the coronet in his hand?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "You will not go there first?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it were putty." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a you, my dear young lady?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his attention." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the meanly of me." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to affect your life." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." other lovers by making love himself." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door if I call to-morrow?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO papers must be those that are destroyed.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Munro.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of this gang." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought words came to my lips. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "But how did you gain them?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have had none more fantastic than this." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "How are you getting on?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was keenly on my guard against him. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I lamp. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this said Mr. Holder. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in yards of it?' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." awaited us upon the table. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." His smile broadened. said he at last. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which