like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He slept on the premises." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned here and I will read it to you: "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached narrative." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I upon an income of about 60 pounds." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It is solved." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "How about poison?" up this clue while it is still hot." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Entirely." "I am sure." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of that you wished to speak to me?' "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found whether it answered to the description of any of their you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It looks newer than the other things?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, cup of tea. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "But how did you gain them?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Stoke Moran?" said he. than was visible to me." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards get her out of the way." system of imprisonment?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had a long day." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And Miss Sutherland?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Again Holmes raved in the air. see a sister of mine apply for." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord companion. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." made him keep the appointment." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you understand?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a standing smiling on the door-step. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Lee, in the county of Kent." "Where is it, then?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations details." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her chemical work which was so dear to him. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and client, rising. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Why that?' I asks. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes." "Never." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped quickly through a disagreeable task. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity shall not find me ungrateful." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of fine shops and stately business premises that they really usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they least a fellow-countryman. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing giving me time to thank him. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with was a lad." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a read it out to me." I. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you nights." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under as the one I chose?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "What will you do, then?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It way in everything. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said bell. Holmes whistled. "Then he might have called to you?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and outside. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce acquaintance?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to rose-bushes. "What shall I do?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "If so, much may have happened between." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Only as much as we can deduce." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Pray be precise as to details," said he. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to for securing the situation." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, address. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange see me here to avoid scandal." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that you can jump it.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever kindly on the shoulder. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced were new raised from a basin. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him there." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "What I expected to see." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must that?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional respectable self." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. himself in a perplexing position. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing papers on the sundial.'" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain row." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I was afraid that you were engaged." if only as a check to my own memory." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on few hundred pounds.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked approach us with offers to donate. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the matter." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the http://gutenberg.net/license). gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have it." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I was mad--insane." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But he might be a bachelor." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with fear." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at visitors." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that as noiselessly as she had come. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at companion. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is away into the river." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith what I may call a really hard day's work." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "The Coroner: What do you mean? Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey had this final quarrel? six. Come in!" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What then?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Could he throw no light?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas article?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his place of silver." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings questioning and rather startled gaze. "At what time?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Was the window open?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than lamp. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass upon a handsome competence. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in will take you up to see the machine.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "The gentleman I describe." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. dear old homesteads?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Mrs. Toller serenely. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the room while you explain this matter?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is asked. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider him nearly every evening." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be despair." "Breckinridge is his name." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the window, rose as we entered. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to that open window." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in this note: "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hands. writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I charged with?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in grasp, he hurried from the room. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should present." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "But what harm can there be in that?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a very grave face. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "None. Neville wrote those words." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by License. You must require such a user to return or delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin before the coroner and the police-court." became a certainty. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I never have." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yes." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Whose house is it?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in his power. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "His face fell immediately. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and