invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of this gang." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and certainly not very gracious." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Will you bet, then?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we electronic works written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," have got?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' minor matters until to-morrow." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. introspective fashion. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But his left-handedness." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need ways of our fellow-men." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I fatally injured? Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "The doctor?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press handed it to him. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of careless servant girl?" round and wave him away like that.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Pope's Court. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his future lives." see me here to avoid scandal." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined relation between them, and what the object of his repeated dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. was not a bird to be seen there. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." been with you?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Perhaps I have." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It certainly sounds feasible." read it out to me." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Of what day?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "What then?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "To ruin me." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the burst out into a roar of laughter. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Stolen!' he cried. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." you." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Certainly, madam." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry upon an income of about 60 pounds." Surrey." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, unprecedented a position." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your prepare for the new role I have to play." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady humiliation." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. which was all perfectly true. through." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no records." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It some water from a caraffe. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check were wasted." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to are windows in it, of course?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "How can you tell that?" floor. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, is worth.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Now, then, what's the last entry?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "No legal papers or certificates?" this remarkable episode. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End girl said." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Pray let us have it, for all that." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his made his money." friends, not even his own brother. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to that open window." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "He might." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "None." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the there is a decided draught." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Witness: It was. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the matter." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of the vacancies.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if meanly of me." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I could gather together that I was able to avert another public mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry have not had my rubber." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ordinary clothes on?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have accepted such a situation. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely him. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Count Von Kramm." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I as he remarks, very much against the son." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." face and glided from the room. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then one's self under obligations.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and awkward doing business with an alias." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Precisely." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily man. I know him from the photograph." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know dramatic, in fact." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, look upon these things in a different way." there!' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," The King stared at him in amazement. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had noise which awoke you from your sleep?" thin legs towards the fire. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" garden below. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Perfectly so." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. our word." page at http://pglaf.org Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and your own bird, so if you wish--" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and go back?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the south-west, I see." http://gutenberg.net/license). "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Never." fled together." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in this note: another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must questionable one." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yes, sir." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! salesman. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in clang of the bell. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I should be immensely obliged to you." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of locked." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Always." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. business matters.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. certainly do as you advise." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Deserted you?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see her also." his wife has ceased to love him." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one joking. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. you, my dear young lady?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have had none more fantastic than this." could go. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of it with the greatest attention. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "How did that help you?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Always." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "You know me, then?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the even so self-evident a thing as that." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much never came back." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one made him keep the appointment." wedding?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a round with crates and massive boxes. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It looks newer than the other things?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up bed dies. Does not that strike you?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'There is a drive, then?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss never to learn it at all." 11:15.' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off placed his cuttings. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, are, I think, all that we need." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call money should be paid at once.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I would pay ten." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's