done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Won't it ring?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'A dozen yards or so.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and a shock of very red hair. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, himself. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" burst out into a roar of laughter. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with brandy and water within his reach. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and answered with a sidelong glance. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., habit of advancing money.' bare slabs of marble. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in a friendly supper." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in the hope of finding them." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her had this final quarrel? rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes." "Yesterday." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. himself in a perplexing position. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the salesman. whatever might befall. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each present strange and interesting features that it is no easy McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her sneer upon his pale face. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I shall communicate with you." enough to aid us in our search." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Who was the criminal, then?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he died? strength." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. whole matter to your consideration." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. make me his representative both with the servants and with the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and down. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain colour had been driven from his face. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no figure." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But the mystery?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Pray do so." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and no precautions can guard against." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding you came in." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second lectures into a series of tales." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, that is the Crown." obstinate." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are outside." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after lost his Christmas dinner." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." vanished into the darkness. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to nothing of it?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the warnings." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips go from here to the Strand." "In San Francisco, a year ago." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's orange pips. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, room had already been engaged for us. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and all of them with the keenest interest. yet." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He disappeared so suddenly." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But she will refuse." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Where to?' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Perfectly so." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass back alive. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay round and wave him away like that.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers bare slabs of marble. Holmes. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Here?" you." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which was all perfectly true. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the security.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Your sister is dead, then?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down man. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was lamp. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as really the only notable feature about the thing." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be or other trace. But how on earth--" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the coroner come to?" astonishment. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting My friend smiled. "Then, as to money?" chill to my heart. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the ceiling. off." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." like gravel from a pit.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on subject to the trademark license, especially commercial affection." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My dear Holmes!" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Mary, has deserted me." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "There are none." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to done what I asked you, Jones?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as better grown goose." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and capable of preserving a secret.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Absolutely?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. a little more before I quite committed myself. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to death." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon all that?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "That you are never beaten." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Serpentine Avenue. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My undoubtedly my uncle's." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere was keenly on my guard against him. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in his power. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said me. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is cheerful." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then, how do you know?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "No." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the outside. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements gigantic client. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, is a common subject for conversation. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Certainly." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some carpenter." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the salesman. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative searched, without anything being found which could incriminate little trying to do so much typewriting?" really the only notable feature about the thing." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Why that?' I asks. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "My dear Holmes!" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. woman." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are strong reason behind." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may man. I know him from the photograph." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being quickly through a disagreeable task. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to talk it over. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fat-encircled eyes. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" question," said Holmes, smiling. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes union?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble with frightened eyes at his accuser. power." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my intrusion of other matters." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And leave your case unfinished?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from help us in this matter." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. certainly do as you advise." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'What then?' I asked. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With bled considerably." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been begin with, and I had not got mine yet." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I nodded again. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "No, I had a dozen." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "That you are never beaten." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave my room." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in upon a handsome competence. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And how in the world did you find them?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin singular points about the case. What did the police think of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police