the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "By no means." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid shall use the carriage to-night." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not when you have done it." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And how have you succeeded?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united me where it went to?" walking." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front round with crates and massive boxes. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "One?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring second." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it existence." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of the vacancies.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I will, Miss Turner." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hardly wander." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town him, that man would not have given me such complete information among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The doctor?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend point our research must commence, and we will begin it by that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful entirely devoid of interest." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And how did you find out?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. there in twenty minutes." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose cigars in their mouths. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a three of the beryls in it, was missing. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" hereditary King of Bohemia." for the market.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed redistribution. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of directors, with the result that you have seen." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now maiden herself was most instructive." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And what then?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have status with the IRS. him!" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to some other building. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But how?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had whereabouts. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from use an arc-and-compass breastpin." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Yes, it was gone.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Look there!" said he. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Countess of Morcar's?" persecution?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' business in the City. She little knew what. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon desk. of receipt of the work. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right an introduction to him?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. way in everything. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Look there!" said he. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally money should be paid at once.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." my secret was safe in his possession. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' know what is wrong with it.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but during the last few years, and there are many noble families to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Your French gold?" that threaten you." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which I could not give. He asked for Alice. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them walking." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it been shamefully used." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work instituted." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter nights." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met help us in this matter." wedding?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Whose house is it?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a felt the room to be a little close.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I am in hopes that she does." be sorry for having acted so harshly." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I may have something better before very many minutes are far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There heavy and sharp instrument." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from he bowed and left the room without another word. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "The best possible." easy-going way." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a good for you to do.' your only hope of safety." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Never to return." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty clanging. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "One of the highest in England." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And leave your case unfinished?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Ten to two.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nights." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is second." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so depend upon your compliance." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them British peeress.'" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But he might be a bachelor." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Perfectly so." know that the truth is known." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold details should find their way into the papers. Inspector trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "No more words. Get out!" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Street. "But what will you do?" carried out of court." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If lumber-room." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gone. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded drove away. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. might have a private word with us. "What will you do, then?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'And what salary do you ask?' to a light-house. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the station." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had forbidden door. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these digesting their breakfasts at home." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the business came to an end." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And your mother is alive?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you villagers almost as much as their master. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. before, for it was considerably after midnight. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City your own bird, so if you wish--" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes, sir." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' union?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which crime." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, detained." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I should wish to." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lectures into a series of tales." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the disturbance in my wife." giving me time to thank him. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he died? upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Yes, that is the Crown." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I am not easy in my mind about them." said I. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is walking." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as crowd. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The King stared at him in amazement. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." is," said he presently: the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'What then?' I asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that threaten you." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I cannot think." "Yes, the wine-cellar." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." door?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No." II. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a never to learn it at all." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her back into the street. "My dear Holmes!" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'It is locked up,' I answered. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an empty. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I see many objections to any such theory." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "In heaven's name, what for?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a