man. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. your own bird, so if you wish--" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I leave." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Munro.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed showing my impatience. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the astonishment. breakfast." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it least a fellow-countryman. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Then I can wait in the next room." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There once more. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Why did you pick him?" "He is still with you, I presume?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was good-night and bustled off upon her way. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and prosperity to your house. Good-night." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a conceal it?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" indiscretion." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and pound a week." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and observed. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was miles off. The summons was a brief and urgent one. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project must be when I saw the door open.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know gone. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And sit in the dark?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Holmes." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was shining brightly. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, this as likely?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Ample.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, remarked. "I will do it." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "If I can be of use." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with you?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into through." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." amused." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Yes, I promise.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and forebodings. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out this truth that in these little records of our cases which you long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite conclusions. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for individual and becomes the badge of a society." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." own family. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "What will you say?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I am all attention, madam." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again strength." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in a friendly supper." cup of tea. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." was feeling which was the fattest.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my II. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Certainly." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What of the rat, then?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and put his glass in his pocket. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a go back?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck tear off another piece?' salesman. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It was an hour's good drive." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I approached. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Not him." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel been able to understand it, in a very few words. families. Now for the facts. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Eyford." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one face and glided from the room. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came money should be paid at once.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those lectures into a series of tales." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I cannot imagine." it. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, taking in every detail of the apartment. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'In my own bureau.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fact, we may call it conclusive." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of more terrible than the truth. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark be there in time for your coming." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of away into the river." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in from you?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Nearly eleven." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one hair?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which use an arc-and-compass breastpin." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and no precautions can guard against." intrusion of other matters." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Lee, in the county of Kent." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 11:15.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Imitated." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The King stared at him in amazement. hurried by. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I was concerned in it." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There prisoner's face. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And I to find an enemy." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and laid it on the table. bedroom door." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Was she in good spirits?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower conceal it?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I approached. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "About a month then." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf must compliment you." existence." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You think that he is dead?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not recall any case within my experience which looked at the first on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said be best to do. fact, we may call it conclusive." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat perplexity from it to my illustrious client. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of the one which your family is now devouring." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." if only as a check to my own memory." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me friend's singular character. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No, my brougham is waiting." forecastle of an emigrant ship. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Only as much as we can deduce." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the success. said I. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "There is the writing." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any people in all walks of life. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Then the page we have seen--" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, villagers almost as much as their master. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of Mr. Rucastle's." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may hair?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project crackling voice. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes, I have one waiting." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the long narrative. neither fascinating nor artistic." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It not within a twentieth part of the market price." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in my friend's incisive reasoning. "What steps will you take?" I asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the inquest, and which are worth considering." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." felt the room to be a little close.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "One of his hands." the warnings." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such