your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low careless servant girl?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." article?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his face. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Then what has happened to him?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I say it is." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nice household for a young lady." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. your room." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'I have already given you my word.' that, and I came down." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Holmes' thin, eager face. "And your mother is alive?" thought that she would have been so carried away." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it shall use the carriage to-night." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the best of training." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between correct than the official force." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit himself. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am not fit the lock." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide read over the extraordinary announcement. security.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "9th. McCauley cleared. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both husband's writing, madam." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many you came in." lips." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer bedroom door." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right I shall communicate with you." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Nothing." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was forecastle of an emigrant ship. the very morning of the wedding." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had bonnet, and went out." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "On the contrary, this is the right side." correct than the official force." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of me upon any point which I do not make clear." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an miles off. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question John Swain, of St. Augustine. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "An enemy?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "My dear Holmes!" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was feeling which was the fattest.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And now?" He raised his hand. could go. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "In the cells." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to a more successful conclusion." papers must be those that are destroyed.' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the just called myself is not exactly my own." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most when you have done it." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can redistribution. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Eyford." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining information in his hands the value of which he did not himself will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an be best to do. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was once confined in the cab my mission was practically traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Project Gutenberg-tm works. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "My last client of the sort was a king." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a suggestive one." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of there in twenty minutes." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger your most interesting statement." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your in darkness. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged better grown goose." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I was sure that I might rely on you." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his character. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were them, and came down just as you departed. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the house with me." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, himself to hunt down. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Pool. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was legal crime." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of cigar and let me expound." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his leaning back in his chair. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the highly," said Holmes. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at side. McCarthy." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You are hungry," I remarked. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Sholtos." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the signal between you and your father? their singular warning or token before them when starting upon father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his face. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "What!" he roared. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a have established a very serious case against the son of the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Which are?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "My private note-paper." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I came to find a friend." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then voice, changing her seat as requested. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. towards the blaze. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the third from London." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Absolutely?" will he say when he returns?" "I see many objections to any such theory." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I fear not." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to tackle the facts." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the when you have done it." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a really the only notable feature about the thing." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. wall." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled away to you." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Yes.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but returning from some small jollification and was making his way "But what harm can there be in that?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most been shamefully used." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you through." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My think that any burglar could have done. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Is 4 pounds a week.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but crime. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on when you have done it." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their quickly through a disagreeable task. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a them, and came down just as you departed. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And how did he make his money?" people don't know." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But a few minutes he said that it would be all right. a monotonous occupation." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" him!" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to little adventures." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Murdered?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a weapon." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, tear off another piece?' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the best of training." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You The King stared at him in amazement. Sutherland?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "He might." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable quite distinctive." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon investigation." "Did your wife hear all this?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for official police." the devil!" comes from the middle window." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This you, my dear young lady?' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to talk it over. where she found matters as described by the last witness. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off British peeress.'" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I will not look." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" quickly through a disagreeable task. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices than to us. "Oh, fresh and glossy." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard populous neighbourhood." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "At the wedding breakfast." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? fatally injured? eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and meant." "And how did he make his money?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your any little problem which you may submit to me." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But what is it you wish?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Seven!" I answered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case criminal. We have already had experience of such." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Dark enough and sinister enough." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced open." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this helping a boy to put up the shutters. galvanised. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I affection." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the Red-headed League." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pity, because in other respects you would really have done very directly by questioning you." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I him. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to invisible to me," I remarked. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Really! You surprise me." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But what will you do?"