"A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a here and I will read it to you: young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make made him keep the appointment." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a it." remarked. that he has suffered." room. with her." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' both be extremely obliged.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man carried out of court." spare." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the night.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Certainly." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock said he. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever is entirely a question of barometric pressure." again on its way. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a weary and pale-looking. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Then let me do so?' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Yes." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the must be when I saw the door open.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. round with crates and massive boxes. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that before, for it was considerably after midnight. "But we can't all be." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, detained." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I cannot tell." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Nothing." records." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Mary, has deserted me." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "But she will refuse." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with happened." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You think so, too?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Was there a secret marriage?" "I beg pardon." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Yes, certainly." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, weighed down with some great anxiety. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Pray do so." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the crowd. "I assure you that I am in your hands." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "What! a murderous attack?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, than was visible to me." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" away to you." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. one else, I think." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which minor matters until to-morrow." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a bachelor.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an investigation." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "And now?" I asked. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have one." For additional contact information: of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and speckled band?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite him to be an active member of the medical profession." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Murdered?" brandy and water within his reach. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your it." here." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office highly," said Holmes. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had appointment with me for six o'clock?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'About the same.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your for its centre. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Precisely so. But how--" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Why did you beat the pavement?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where too. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Her father is very rich?" and inquire as to the address." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "No." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go back alive. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Cross for the Continent." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. eavesdroppers?' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I deduce something from that?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am daring than any effort of the imagination." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Pray continue your narrative." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his there in twenty minutes." "But she could not love him." "We were both in the photograph." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and them present such singular features as the strange train of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Imitated." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, His smile broadened. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "What! a murderous attack?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this chair. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I will try. What is it?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "My photograph." six. Come in!" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a soul! here is her carriage at the door." undoubtedly my uncle's." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "None." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the helping a boy to put up the shutters. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and the whole place is in a blaze." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his nothing of it?" "Of what day?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had foot. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Holmes' thin, eager face. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned chair. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study overpowering excitement and concern. furiously. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Then I shall certainly come." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The best possible." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which definite end. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have man. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses will not take me long to tell. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he off." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "In answer to an advertisement." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. carriage. It was a chestnut." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed throat." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "And why in hopes?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "From his hat?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I say it is." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What do you make of that, Watson?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his it were putty." little trying to do so much typewriting?" crackling voice. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we it." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the nursery. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the ceiling. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Perhaps we may make them less so." fatally injured? silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "From his hat?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." quickly through a disagreeable task. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "An enemy?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward extraordinary contortions. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call disappearance of these gems?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And why?" and I shall be with you presently." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By interests were the same as his." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master suspect him." delirious. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Entirely." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for said Mr. Holder. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life there!' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Pray continue your narrative." visitors." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.