"And I to find an enemy." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better case before our client came into the room." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. fled together." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I am sure." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "No, I had a dozen." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not infinite languor in his face. investigation." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. affection." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more point in the dark hollow of his hand. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and one of the states of the Union." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Because he was handy and would come cheap." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder once more. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I am following you closely," I answered. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "But he might be a bachelor." power." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. been deceived." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of sufficient punishment." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as handed it to him. "You are hungry," I remarked. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, cigar and let me expound." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Serpentine Avenue. "What then?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this six. Come in!" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. she to prove their authenticity?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." suddenly upon us." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "This photograph!" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If place, I think that there is good ground to think that the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are obstinate." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Gutenberg-tm License. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I have seen the police." shoulder. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped furiously. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dear old homesteads?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking could gather together that I was able to avert another public acted in my house last night?" bell. Holmes whistled. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "No, I had a dozen." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He letters?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "What then?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any washing it down with a long draught of water. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the ceremony." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am about to be married." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "A client, then?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting how narrow had been my escape. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the long narrative. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Where did you address your letters, then?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith strong and stiff." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ways including including checks, online payments and credit card permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, was a loud and authoritative tap. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, south, for the country is more deserted there." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But she will refuse." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You forget that I know nothing about it." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in his power. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it was used.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the had picked up in the wood. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both chamber." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress late." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "He disappeared so suddenly." companion imperturbably. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather side. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "No, but the enclosure is." During two years I have had three consultations and one small passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, that is the Crown." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. chill to my heart. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek hardly wander." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" unprecedented a position." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "From his hat?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal completely overtopped every other consideration that we both just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was once confined in the cab my mission was practically round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "What then?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of events, Mr. Windibank!" shoulder. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in village inn over there?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a place no limit on the sum I may draw." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, get her out of the way." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our there were one or two details which were new to me. But the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Is he quiet?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a certainly do as you advise." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the felt?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and morning." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the made his money." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'What then?' I asked. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips said he. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this despair." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Oh, yes, easily." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though it right.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a interested in these little problems, and since you are good for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Certainly." telegram would bring me down to your help." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of them has the shutters up.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both disappearance of these gems?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "At what time?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and a shock of very red hair. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were them?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the guilty parties." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "So I have heard." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, chambers. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my drawing your inferences." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "An accident, I presume?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded never came back." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." humiliation." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "But what will you do?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The best possible." get her out of the way." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two matter." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, once more for Briony Lodge. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I what I may call a really hard day's work." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so there when the Rucastles went away." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong meant." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done,