of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was a perfect sample of the class. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Certainly." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. appeal." murdered man." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I placed his cuttings. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is your billet.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler business." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we shoulder. overpowering excitement and concern. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow back to my heart. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate away in different directions, and I went off to make my own stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, II. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face respectable self." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the cigars in their mouths. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried father's place of business?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "That was it, sir." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Never to return." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then I shall certainly come." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But not more so than I to find you." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some guilty one." narrative." my secret was safe in his possession. your billet.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Witness: Nothing definite. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Quite so." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to charge against him will break down." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Certainly, madam." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of second." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Did he not advertise?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Imitated." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Yes." has little to do with my story." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" be. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; been shamefully used." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I together. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker your billet.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain morning." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect go from here to the Strand." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." know what is wrong with it.' Does that suggest anything?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of until night should bring an explanation. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even believe that I should never have any practice at all. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a some city in a dream. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Your presence might be invaluable." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk have accepted such a situation. "None. Neville wrote those words." "No?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both lost nothing by them." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business felt the room to be a little close.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in this note: "When did it break out?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." always that they were such commands as a lady might with met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "ARAT," I read. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "He might." "'Never,' said I. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a taking in every detail of the apartment. guilty one." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Certainly." me what he had done with the three missing stones. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that there was nothing in it, after all." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want six. Come in!" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I forebodings. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, woman." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are approach us with offers to donate. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Pool. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." your billet.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for will find little credit to be gained out of this case." taking in every detail of the apartment. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Come in!" said Holmes. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And you thought he was pulled back?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Very much so." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "No, but the enclosure is." papers must be those that are destroyed.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I am armed." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Who by?" the Red-headed League." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I am all attention, madam." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Will you bet, then?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have established a very serious case against the son of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to-night?" I asked. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and down. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's straighten it?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off fat-encircled eyes. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the place no limit on the sum I may draw." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall shall use the carriage to-night." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Street. chance." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." your bag." "Not in the least." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "He is still with you, I presume?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And you thought he was pulled back?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and never will be, entirely cleared up. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting third from London." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could morning." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. prepare for the new role I have to play." I have it here in my museum." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Ten to two.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue touch that coronet?' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited never will be, entirely cleared up. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two carriage. It was a chestnut." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest congratulate you again." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to at a side door. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not already been minutely examined." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter envelope. at home. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same bled considerably." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the on in his house." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was a loud and authoritative tap. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in this way: to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong back alive. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it ourselves in the office." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." is worth.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias companion. which we had just quitted. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which colour had been driven from his face. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and glanced through. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The more solid." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of his shoulders. society." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Your French gold?" did not hear it also.' "Nothing." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive States. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Do you go out much in society?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence opportunities to fix the problem. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Why, it's a dummy," said he. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is out." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of meant it for the best. of your young ladies.' electronic works to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Never to return." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he