Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is trifles." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "A greater distance to travel." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "No?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a very grave face. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the south-west, I see." "Did you observe the colour?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I would pay ten." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that in the hope of finding them." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I beg pardon." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Not social, then?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Seven!" I answered. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in a very precise fashion." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per address. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "How long did she speak to this Alice?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And what did you learn from him?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss money should be paid at once.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "No good news?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of is so. I know all about McCarthy." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet down from London to inquire more deeply into it." hurried away. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not than was visible to me." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'And what salary do you ask?' events, Mr. Windibank!" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your me." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held rose-bushes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "We must sit without light. He would see it through the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No. What a strange idea!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Witness: It was. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "What is it, then--a fire?" daring than any effort of the imagination." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I would then never go into court at all." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of infinite languor in his face. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down conduct the inquiry." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll wedding?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she call it cruel." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" tell them apart.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady do.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And leave your case unfinished?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the is four-and-twenty." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Murdered?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a upon a handsome competence. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "That is not always so easy." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see way in everything. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Yes." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only anything to do with the matter?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes, I have one waiting." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in him." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were tail." help us in this matter." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" way: bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I am about to be married." My friend smiled. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "To the police?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And what then?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Was your sister dressed?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many arrested. You then--" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things them?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I grasp, he hurried from the room. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for will not take me long to tell. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Stoke Moran." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "You know me, then?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and galvanised. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "How on earth--" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the nursery. sake, don't!" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You have the photograph?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I garden below. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses there was no need for father to know." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per feature." for and were ordered to this address. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have which I could not give. He asked for Alice. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which outside. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, have I gained?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a them?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce closing the door. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the danger is over." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lamp. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It is very clear." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. it." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into gbnewby@pglaf.org out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It must be recovered." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Here?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal room?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "In answer to an advertisement." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway IS was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This so.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass indeed which he could not unravel. been deceived." asked with his eyes open. "Certainly." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "9th. McCauley cleared. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But what harm can there be in that?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly main points of my analysis." "'Entirely.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery power." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Never.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. interested in these little problems, and since you are good together. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the ceiling. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my this unhappy family?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Stolen." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'And what salary do you ask?' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when done what I asked you, Jones?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had fatally injured? he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. assist you in forming an opinion." questionable one." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hand, madam?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of it right.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, will take you up to see the machine.' "Your presence might be invaluable." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Entirely." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a should be taken.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other been with you?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as come either from the window or the door. My attention was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "One of his hands." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis was feeling which was the fattest.' chance at all." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my tell them apart.' "Ha! you find it so?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "He slept on the premises." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Where to?' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. to-night?" I asked. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and no precautions can guard against." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said them, and came down just as you departed. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was used.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Not yet." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the her also." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a secret." society." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few *** START: FULL LICENSE *** repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. himself in a perplexing position. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Miss Holder?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her him. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far within hail.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story.