sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey than was visible to me." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Have you it here?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "You are hungry," I remarked. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "In San Francisco, a year ago." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' your room." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It in the hope of finding them." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, During two years I have had three consultations and one small friend's singular character. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" young Openshaw's." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but affection." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Come in!" said he. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Street. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'There is a drive, then?' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I was mad--insane." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Yes, I promise.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to this poor creature." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps I shall continue with my miserable story. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you unprecedented a position." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "How are you getting on?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in one or two places in England?' his grey eyes. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge mystery may be cleared along those lines." "My own seal." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and laid it on the table. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about emerged. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Then the page we have seen--" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it someone who had been in Australia." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for unclasping of his long thin hands. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and it need not interfere very much with one's other room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day then?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch next day. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "What will you do, then?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local suspect him." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I think that I had better go, Holmes." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'You cannot say what it was?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham his forehead." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "There is the writing." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, himself to hunt down. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he foresight and the moral retrogression?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the key of the affair now." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "So it appears." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I shall most certainly do so." "He said that you could solve anything." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Was the window open?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the salesman. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And your mother is alive?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips of the vacancies.' whatever might befall. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I answered that I had not. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to-morrow." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife second window is the one that I jumped from." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And how did you find out?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That you are never beaten." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and were unconscious?" visitors." important." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I should like to see him very much." he died? ordinary clothes on?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But to whom?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is upon an income of about 60 pounds." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'I shall certainly be there.' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Ample." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, is worth.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is note?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke cause to be." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case felt the room to be a little close.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk stalked out of the room. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It is possible." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of is worth.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it with his own hands." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From yourselves in at night?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and coroner's jury." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we obstinate." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' fashion which was peculiar to him. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And help." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has distinguish the words: the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in a very precise fashion." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a know all about it," he snarled. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "How do you know, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had excitement. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "ARAT," I read. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and the church but not where the lady lived." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But it has twice been burgled." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And is that all?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us your own bird, so if you wish--" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY 1.E.9. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." breakfast?" the running down." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: sit on the left-hand side of the driver." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three III. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against maiden herself was most instructive." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too observed. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I outbreak?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any was used.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of had picked up in the wood. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "No." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Why, what do you mean?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold written, and locked the door of the office after me. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" golden eyeglasses. "No, distinctly professional." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I then?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "He is dead," cried several voices. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Certainly." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's your equipment. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This as this. Pray let me have the details." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the words came to my lips. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Pray do so." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. himself. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Edgeware Road. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Yes." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek shoulder. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." side. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I am in hopes that she does." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "The murder was done with it." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I say it is." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his mysterious end." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and least a most suspicious remark." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in him." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife empty. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "How did that help you?" "But his lameness?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "And how did you find out?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in the dead of the night?' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You did not overhear what they said?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. said he. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "He might." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I,