excitement. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Holmes, the busybody!" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fasten all the windows?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I cannot imagine." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But the mystery?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It is possible." "Did your wife hear all this?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him get the tickets." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have crowd. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "So I am. Very much so." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the your only hope of safety." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was keenly on my guard against him. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had this final quarrel? woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at desk. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and said he. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to Leatherhead. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the child." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Ten to two.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is a murder, then?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than events than those which have happened in my own family." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Where, then, is my wife?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon States. "'Quite sure, dad.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon yards of it?' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he there is a decided draught." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking me. You must get home instantly and act." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you way: seven miles from Eyford Station.' the house with me." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a help us in this matter." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do could not have written that. It is the German who is so the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in the hope of finding them." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And when will you call?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I think you a quite exceptional woman." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "From his hat?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Where did you address your letters, then?" charge against him will break down." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And why in hopes?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Dark enough and sinister enough." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Ample.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little three fields round his house, and there he would take his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "What then?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we little adventures." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And did you observe any change in her then?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he was already answered. own family. "So it appears." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I shall be delighted." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Most admirably.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "But I have heard all that you have heard." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." dates and names. and a shock of very red hair. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "And why?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings about here speaks of his kindness to him." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his as this. Pray let me have the details." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But how did you gain them?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Yes.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a there is a decided draught." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his face which made him a very different person to the round, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Come in!" said he. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage approach us with offers to donate. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Your presence might be invaluable." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I know where it is." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features London for the present?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Not in a good cause." "You saw the ventilator, too?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, following enigmatical notices: "If I can be of use." me where it went to?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So matter over." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut wanted for ourselves." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand weary and pale-looking. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me one of the states of the Union." outsides of the windows. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You are hungry," I remarked. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really II. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the running down." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "And you don't know his address?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe village inn over there?" "You think so, too?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would would apply.' bachelor.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." McCarthy." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "10th. John Swain cleared. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Stoke Moran." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and the church but not where the lady lived." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Here?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, but only for you and me." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You were travelling in the States?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black used to be." "And what did you see?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Two days later this same performance was gone through under children over to America with him, so that I found myself without by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I see me here to avoid scandal." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action cost them two and thirty pounds." details." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Eyford." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even during the last few years, and there are many noble families to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And what did you learn from him?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so character. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' someone who had been in Australia." Munro.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at remarked. them present such singular features as the strange train of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Yes, sir.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the King without delay." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for said I. than was visible to me." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called here." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there woman who has had her own way to make in the world. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power conclusions. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another him nearly every evening." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No, distinctly professional." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I asked. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client society." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "But your client--" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to talk it over. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "What I expected to see." heavily into it. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the south-west, I see." prison!" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an maid will bring up your coffee." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Why that?' I asks. "Very truly yours, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. could gather together that I was able to avert another public re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wife's character?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and I shall be with you presently." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ways of our fellow-men." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he one else, I think." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the people don't know." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It missed him, then?" "Entirely." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the driver. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging society." "What! a murderous attack?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the back to my heart. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head electronic works look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of pressing in one house as in another. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until washing it down with a long draught of water. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were despair." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself closely." chill to my heart. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the married her." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong