utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Your presence might be invaluable." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and to a light-house. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I have a cab outside." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bell. Holmes whistled. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to legal crime." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make ways of our fellow-men." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. directly by questioning you." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. wanted for ourselves." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and wait." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to-night?" I asked. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the child." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Murdered?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both he bowed and left the room without another word. and capable of preserving a secret.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the coroner's jury." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yesterday." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for bed dies. Does not that strike you?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other call you and give you the chance." Heh?' "Won't it ring?" of the one which your family is now devouring." other lovers by making love himself." happened." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Yes.' brain must have something in it." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'Where could I find him?' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "In heaven's name, what for?" "Yes." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his that you saw all that I did." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Yes, I promise.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated occupations.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down what do you think they found in the pockets?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "The rest you will leave in our hands." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the colonel ushered me in. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no see me here to avoid scandal." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such system of imprisonment?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most is so. I know all about McCarthy." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The death." discontent upon his features. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. feature." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Texas, I think." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. breakfast?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate strange features which were associated with the two crimes which slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted cost them two and thirty pounds." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Not yet." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that matter." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in this way: very old mansion. sooner or later she must fall a victim. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil drawing your inferences." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "That is possible." "And the murderer?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" a very grave face. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation during that time.' enter into my head. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'And the work?' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My face and glided from the room. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may to me. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "My private note-paper." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, friends, not even his own brother. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Nothing?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." works. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may confronted him. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Not I." "So it appears." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Whose house is it?" think that any burglar could have done. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "And you can do nothing until then?" the coroner come to?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of a little more before I quite committed myself. "Dirty?" "But the mystery?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What is it?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "What office?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "We were both in the photograph." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from read over the extraordinary announcement. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it with his own hands." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was a lad." the devil!" to me. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and public press." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to is worth.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Stolen!' he cried. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. tear off another piece?' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a good hundred miles off by now." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its key of the affair now." kind enough to tell me what I should do." has little to do with my story." national property. I was determined that the law should have its than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything tightly behind him. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded strength of mind to control. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had with her." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a enter into my head. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so when you have done it." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I you do it in twenty minutes!' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be just ask you whether you had heard it.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for questionable one." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a good hundred miles off by now." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and yet." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Precisely." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It is very clear." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fatally injured? his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to she used." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "She showed me, as I told you she would." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen matter." of the way of danger. "I cannot tell." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Pray let us have it, for all that." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and the church but not where the lady lived." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in nonsense.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And what did you see?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Your French gold?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to a more successful conclusion." "And is that all?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Not in the least." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes returning from some small jollification and was making his way and inquire as to the address." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up went to the Alpha were town bred." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You don't mind breaking the law?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I should like to see him very much." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the strong and stiff." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to questioning and rather startled gaze. him!" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the only touch the interest." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and capable of preserving a secret.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be II. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "On your arm?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But she will refuse." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has him and tried to hold him back. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "But you can know nothing of this?" occurred." Holmes' room. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "You'll never persuade me to believe that." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee been." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "There are none." "What!" he roared. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable