I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the loss of it. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "To an end?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, your equipment. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fait accompli?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up examine." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fluttered off among the others. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many her also." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cause to be." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "He is dead," cried several voices. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I important." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the you." 11:15.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "By no means." "I cannot tell." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note IS of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith for and were ordered to this address. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of her also." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes, there are nearly always some there." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the nonsense.' have I gained?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Well." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a memory. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated States. Holmes' face clouded over. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The telegram which we eventually received came late one night think that he is innocent?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander look upon these things in a different way." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. way: "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and looked back. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "But you would not advise me to refuse?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And your mother is alive?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, quite distinctive." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right ashen face. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." man. I know him from the photograph." during which he might have communicated with his friend the carriage. It was a chestnut." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that wedding?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." My friend smiled. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I cannot imagine." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a purpose of examination. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "How are you getting on?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I held the little printed slip to the light. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed disappearance of the bride.'" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out me, and I could not think that his explanation of the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'And the work?' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And I say east," said my patient. rat could hardly pass through." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that, and I came down." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called noise which awoke you from your sleep?" ago." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I what is your own theory as to what took place?" here and I will read it to you: "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Won't it ring?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two all-comprehensive glances. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he gentleman's clothes. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some my special province." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor have an American origin." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in yet." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an enough to aid us in our search." matter." "It is very clear." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three better in every way that they should make their position a little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my pound a week." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from go back?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, bird I ate is country bred." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'Where could I find him?' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The gentleman I describe." hour." the running down." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's pity, because in other respects you would really have done very get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs completely overtopped every other consideration that we both saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of this gang." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him John Swain, of St. Augustine. became a certainty. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have when you have done it." you, my dear young lady?' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither must compliment you." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just see a sister of mine apply for." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently rose-bushes. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have not had my rubber." someone who had been in Australia." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man prison!" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the address that was given us in the advertisement. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It certainly sounds feasible." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man cup of tea. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in was already answered. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant License. You must require such a user to return or handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I beg pardon." "I see many objections to any such theory." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and it need not interfere very much with one's other result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet companion quietly. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'I am sure if I had known--' "I guessed as much." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the child." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." one which it was hard to resist. plantation.' one of the states of the Union." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Where is it, then?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a for its centre. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "You know me, then?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But papers." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. for securing the situation." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the Red-headed League." "And you thought he was pulled back?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Stolen, then." and your relations to her." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Ha! you find it so?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's never will be, entirely cleared up. highroad, where all traces were lost. Heh?' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I your bag." "Was the window open?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its status with the IRS. wife's character?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "My opinion is in no way altered." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And how did he make his money?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, husband's writing, madam." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Nearly eleven." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? man. I know him from the photograph." "Certainly, madam." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold chambers. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to-morrow." miles off. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "That was it, sir." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I from the brougham. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.