man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'What then?' I asked. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "A greater distance to travel." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him will take you up to see the machine.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It's nothing of the kind." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend interest. They are important, you understand, without being call the police, let the police find what they can.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "And how did you find out?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same she slowly sank and died without having recovered her words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air writers could invent nothing more crude." again before evening." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced chance at all." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that power." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to chamber." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project really the only notable feature about the thing." problems help me to do so." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared gone. have been better. It is all right." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not words came to my lips. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. cheerful." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a call you and give you the chance." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, certainly." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you give your casting vote to?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And you can do nothing until then?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, writer." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is bearing upon the case." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at felt?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no been." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the written. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "No." "But she will refuse." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" confronted him. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Can I be of assistance?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his grey eyes. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, yes, easily." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And what did you learn from him?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a served to weaken the effect. "Yes." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent acquaintance?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot for its centre. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. him to be an active member of the medical profession." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I I nodded again. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Does that suggest anything?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed joking. hopeless attempt at recovering them." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. keep the flames under. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between It may be so in this case, also." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I say that I have solved it." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of Mr. Rucastle's." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Yes, sir." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe troubles have been weighing upon his mind. whereabouts. "Very. But will he see it?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' figure." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little more solid." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east His name is Francis Prosper." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Eyford at 11:15.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'And the work?' off." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the armchair which I pushed forward for him. bird I ate is country bred." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front attention." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied south, for the country is more deserted there." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to with you?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Thank you. Pray proceed." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair God! What an exposure! What can I do?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I think that it is very probable." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then, how do you know?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the answered with a sidelong glance. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the bottom.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Never,' said I. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "To ruin me." ready to-morrow?' suspect him." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." bachelor.' might help us?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was you, my dear young lady?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he lumber-room." to a more successful conclusion." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Where could I find him?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Which surely he restored to their owner?" husband's writing, madam." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working row." "One of the highest in England." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "But to whom?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. placed his cuttings. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "No good news?" "Have you it here?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious felt the room to be a little close.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Where, then, is my wife?" least a fellow-countryman. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You have compromised yourself seriously." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang tension within him. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. yards of it?' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me brought there to personate someone, and the real person is character. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is so. I know all about McCarthy." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of peculiar to him. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, think you a quite exceptional woman." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? again before evening." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you through." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the best of training." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "To an English lawyer named Norton." mystery!" matter over." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to forecastle of an emigrant ship. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I words came to my lips. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the loss of it. rat could hardly pass through." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I am armed." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It is solved." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the help us in this matter." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The Cedars?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the driver. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then I am your man." ourselves in the office." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened official police." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let meanly of me." "I am sure." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to his face. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good once more for Briony Lodge. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six are windows in it, of course?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes, the wine-cellar." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable business." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And you can do nothing until then?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and good for you to do.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS highroad, where all traces were lost. depend upon your compliance." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I have hopes." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I will get her to show me." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'About the same.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in noting anything else of interest. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "You horrify me!" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault