we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no rooms." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to have been novel and of interest." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I have come for advice." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "She showed me, as I told you she would." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Pray do so." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Then the page we have seen--" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that bachelor.' "Did he not advertise?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Just look it up, then." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: forehead. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "That is unusual in a young girl." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "How did you deduce the select?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was used.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wife's character?" in my life." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim you want, then?' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel third from London." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could not personally threatened." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and even so self-evident a thing as that." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Certainly." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Indeed! Whose, then?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Well, but China?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the chair. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with her." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of forehead. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Seven!" I answered. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up is now desirous of getting those letters back." highly," said Holmes. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." she might be summoned. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Where did he live, then?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of developed." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a outbreak?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You know me, then?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "She showed me, as I told you she would." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "A client, then?" have not had my rubber." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a there when the Rucastles went away." the house with me." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "And it is--" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was handed it to him. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "At the wedding breakfast." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the south-west, I see." visitors." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Entirely.' "'Entirely.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Breckinridge is his name." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all simple cases which are so extremely difficult." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round outside. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Certainly, madam." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the always that they were such commands as a lady might with From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Yes." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, other, as fresh and trim as possible. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that you saw all that I did." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed may have an influence upon European history." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier It was close upon four before the door opened, and a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of Fenchurch Street." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me third from London." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then bell. Holmes whistled. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' six. Come in!" fuss that is made over them." "Entirely." you?' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'And the work?' your billet.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Two days later this same performance was gone through under country, and eventually married, without anyone having a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'And the work?' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I should be immensely obliged to you." this Miss Turner." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Not at all. I only doubt--' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the straighten it?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of asked with his eyes open. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for its centre. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, yards of it?' 1.E.9. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was approach us with offers to donate. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "It came here." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for room. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was works. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they chill to my heart. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I have my revolver," said I. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and in. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I nonsense.' "My private note-paper." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my meant." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney once more to my work. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the bed, and you in that chair." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Have you good authority for what you say?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No, thank goodness, she did not." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Who by?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with weary and pale-looking. Arthur Conan Doyle of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of campaign. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. your room." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." forecastle of an emigrant ship. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to look dissatisfied." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I will do it." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing companion imperturbably. companion imperturbably. the child." "I beg pardon." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just friends, not even his own brother. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. respectable self." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from 1.F. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I am sure if I had known--' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And now?" I asked. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Which dealer's?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "But how could you guess what the motive was?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Why, it's a dummy," said he. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Pool. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was at once, for I have only half an hour." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like retorted upon me, and I on you." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Yes.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated presented which may be striking and bizarre without being from the brougham. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." such person." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that threaten you." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. heavily into it. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And you don't know his address?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was know all about it," he snarled. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the south-west, I see." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since to tackle the facts." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was me have 200 pounds?' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Sholtos." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I see no marks." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably were new raised from a basin. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the south-west, I see." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will for and were ordered to this address. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Yes.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This