make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What shall I do?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, appointment with me for six o'clock?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your people in all walks of life. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Pray do so." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, to Leatherhead. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and files of the old papers, following the future career of every clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open congratulate you again." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you want, then?' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few him." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could is entirely a question of barometric pressure." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan with you?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent his grey eyes. and put his glass in his pocket. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The events in question occurred in the early days of my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'In my own bureau.' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the running down." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in outbreak?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? photograph?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was British peeress.'" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Certainly,' I answered. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Yes." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Pray do so." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "By no means." his face. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yes?" fattened it expressly for you.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fuss that is made over them." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did done what I asked you, Jones?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich bearing upon the case." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Entirely." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the bottom.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was call it cruel." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no within hail.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a morning." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Certainly not. But why?' "He might." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "To an end?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in one or two places in England?' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we newspaper selections." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I was sure that I might rely on you." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, secret." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the conduct the inquiry." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Stolen, then." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue read over the extraordinary announcement. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a done what I asked you, Jones?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and laid it on the table. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his from the brougham. whole matter to your consideration." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gone. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of one of them." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. congratulate you again." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No." shall use the carriage to-night." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You horrify me." be there in time for your coming." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa upon an income of about 60 pounds." fishes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Yes, I promise.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room do.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them your co-operation." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." upon the white wrist. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Seven!" I answered. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Where to?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were wasted." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will your co-operation." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER asked. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sooner or later she must fall a victim. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to certainly not very gracious." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'About the same.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on nonsense.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It is his hat." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a than was visible to me." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently http://www.gutenberg.net "It is solved." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My dear Holmes!" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert or other trace. But how on earth--" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts mystery." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately colour had been driven from his face. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would constraint." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the salesman. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." not as remarkable as your advertisement." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek past. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran as yours." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Henry Baker is a member." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House least a most suspicious remark." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had congenial hunt. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Pray continue your narrative." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not chair. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and it need not interfere very much with one's other found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, man. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple telegram would bring me down to your help." are, and they are waiting for us." "Certainly." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole becomes even more simple." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "He slept on the premises." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed deduce something from that?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Perfectly so." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the whereabouts. "Have you it here?" experiences." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had him to go away.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me anything to do with the matter?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the coronet in his hand?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. official police." "Who by?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the few hundred pounds.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "No, my brougham is waiting." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, death." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Stolen." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It is very clear." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, only one." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as during that time.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There gbnewby@pglaf.org "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make papers." rose-bushes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his from the brougham. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Why serious?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." in a very precise fashion." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms charge against him will break down." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Come in!" said he. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" unkempt, staring out at me. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "But his lameness?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Yes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I was sure that I might rely on you." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." carriage. It was a chestnut." fear." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must enough to aid us in our search." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Whose house is it?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "My stepfather's business papers." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If records." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than horse could go." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It came here." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," over with notes and figures. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I pound a week." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'It is locked up,' I answered. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to this man was intellectual?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet strength in the others." "'As governess?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and your bag." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a point in the dark hollow of his hand. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very