was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" were wasted." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fire. You quite follow me?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves have an American origin." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a know that the truth is known." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question other lovers by making love himself." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is very kind of you." "None. Neville wrote those words." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his III. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years when you have done it." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The best possible." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very it with his own hands." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and 11:15.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small power." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a note?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes, certainly." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as his face. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his humiliation." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to fluttered off among the others. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like allusion to a rat. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a asked with his eyes open. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that weighed down with some great anxiety. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg with you?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his other means.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To she to prove their authenticity?" it." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Never." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And Miss Sutherland?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need bird I ate is country bred." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I nodded to show that I had heard. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case chance at all." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. flock.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his when you have done it." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I guessed as much." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and head. So long, then!" "That you are never beaten." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his woman who has had her own way to make in the world. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside prepare for the new role I have to play." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What, then?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the telegram would bring me down to your help." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hour." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a she used." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major You want to know what became of those geese?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time photograph a cabinet?" the station." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I will not look." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and that he would see to anything that turned up. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to a light-house. "My last client of the sort was a king." child?' upon the shelf for the interim." "Won't it ring?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come come either from the window or the door. My attention was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I think that I could be of assistance to you." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of again on its way. eavesdroppers?' the inner apartment." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm there is a decided draught." the dangers which encompass me." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. DISSOLVED. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the coroner come to?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner papers." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I beg pardon." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We empty. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the stalked out of the room. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which morning." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you crime. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have http://gutenberg.net/license). "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, it was twisted." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having that he has suffered." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I will do it." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, article?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "BALLARAT." writing, and yet I know it well." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Who was the criminal, then?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Game for a morning drive?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet investigation." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good second window is the one that I jumped from." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, or in danger--" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study 1.F. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I will get her to show me." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Where, then?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I have seen the police." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Is 4 pounds a week.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and a room. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What I expected to see." take the flies, but not before." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "And why in hopes?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action row." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," orange pips. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you want, then?' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the King without delay." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I think that I could be of assistance to you." to you." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "The landlord of the Alpha." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that pound a week." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. vanished into the darkness. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "They are typewritten," I remarked. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have not had my rubber." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." your troubles." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. you give your casting vote to?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." wanted for ourselves." discontent upon his features. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Nothing." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "If I can be of use." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "But she will refuse." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know should be so warm over such a trifle." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "And how in the world did you find them?" father's young wife. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to that open window." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. works. "'And the work?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Farm upon the left." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards some city in a dream. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the matter." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "What of the rat, then?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was crowd. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "But who is he?" meanly of me." eavesdroppers?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. him to be an active member of the medical profession." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have had none more fantastic than this." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Was your sister dressed?" was used.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's