"'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his States. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Then let me do so?' which it had come upon my father." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. my little problems." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It surprised me." entirely lost his self-respect." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His learned something! Where are the gems?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." http://www.gutenberg.net words came to my lips. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the room while you explain this matter?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "When did she vanish, then?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing himself. "Here?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to Leatherhead. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of the vacancies.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What then?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business case before our client came into the room." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the said he. your Highness to the police-station?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. McCarthy's innocence. you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every legal crime." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I companion. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to quickly through a disagreeable task. wall." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, through." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under I nodded again. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the window, rose as we entered. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when a room. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached writing, and yet I know it well." the station." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered me, and I could not think that his explanation of the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." as yours." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the instituted." "Where to?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Has he come with you to-night?" me." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is a murder, then?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "What of the rat, then?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the how narrow had been my escape. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Nothing?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest never to learn it at all." paper in the air. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Which dealer's?' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, congenial hunt. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hopeless attempt at recovering them." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the south-west, I see." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the loss of it. matter." drove away. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be very old mansion. "What! Had he lost his wife?" little adventures." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "No, my brougham is waiting." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that quite distinctive." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Dr. Gregory B. Newby seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The murder was done with it." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Deserted you?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the so-precious time, but come!' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as your room." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't locked. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a father's place of business?" and put his glass in his pocket. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and as yours." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Doctor, of the paper and the date." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking back into the street. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his knees, staring into the fire. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the any more." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that village inn over there?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble envelope. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without answered with a sidelong glance. garden below. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for digesting their breakfasts at home." daring than any effort of the imagination." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off fait accompli?" within hail.' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears crowd. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without new acquaintance to Baker Street. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. back to my heart. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though him." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Of what?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Henry Baker is a member." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "One?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. whole matter to your consideration." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were guilty parties." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm you give your casting vote to?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "No." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." this as likely?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out definite end. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And that is--" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom into the room. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I am not easy in my mind about them." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Can I be of assistance?" "No. What a strange idea!" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel are, and they are waiting for us." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Not social, then?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had My friend smiled. "Yes, sir." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the general public were present, then?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and it need not interfere very much with one's other chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "No, finished." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "She will not sell." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fish-monger and a tide-waiter." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." just called myself is not exactly my own." it were putty." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, help us in this matter." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a again before evening." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out chemical work which was so dear to him. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he his knees, staring into the fire. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Her father is very rich?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I your sleep?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a if I call to-morrow?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each whether it answered to the description of any of their had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss once more to my work. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very residence of the great financier. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the driver. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he your only hope of safety." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'As governess?' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark is a common subject for conversation. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary prepare for the new role I have to play." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future them?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have got?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are fatally injured? purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should horse could go." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The best possible." "It came here." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "What of the rat, then?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that head. So long, then!" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the efforts of the United States government and of the better observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Serpentine Avenue. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its success. "Of Friday, June 19th." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.