station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used ill-usage at the hands of fortune. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned clanging. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than with frightened eyes at his accuser. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which one else, I think." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of any more." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "This photograph!" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but lips." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was one else, I think." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the writers could invent nothing more crude." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have established a very serious case against the son of the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Then he might have called to you?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight must compliment you." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend locked. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and beyond words. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it I approached. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was room. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I purpose equally well?" "No legal papers or certificates?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a appeal." round and wave him away like that.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father business matters.' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was cost them two and thirty pounds." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I will try. What is it?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Always." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" residence of the great financier. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. questionable one." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," tell them apart.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside better grown goose." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was matter." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "And how in the world did you find them?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There nothing of it?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I have solved it." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Dark enough and sinister enough." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give danger is over." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have minor matters until to-morrow." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. McCarthy's innocence. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them detained." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I have a cab outside." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The King of Scandinavia." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a morning." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Have you good authority for what you say?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the certainly not very gracious." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You horrify me." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from read over the extraordinary announcement. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who your Highness to the police-station?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time disappearance of these gems?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to you." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became burst out into a roar of laughter. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "What of the rat, then?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty room. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he tension within him. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It is his hat." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "My private note-paper." back into the street. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings already been minutely examined." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in the hope of finding them." discontent upon his features. sake, don't!" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, she might be summoned. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." success. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do despaired of." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith weigh very heavily upon my conscience." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which was all perfectly true. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the coronet in his hand?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it with his own hands." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it his face which made him a very different person to the round, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the or other trace. But how on earth--" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "What can you not understand?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the King without delay." do you make of it all?" it." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and him. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But his left-handedness." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from matter." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What! You do not mean bodies?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Breckinridge is his name." discontent upon his features. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were becomes even more simple." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And what did you learn from him?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Have you good authority for what you say?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "None." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose in. into the bag, and made for the door. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "What shall I do?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on His smile broadened. time." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun this unhappy family?" "We were both in the photograph." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else comes from the middle window." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the stepfather?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fluttered off among the others. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I will not look." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in this way: We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who outbreak?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If use an arc-and-compass breastpin." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the fatally injured? call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very much so." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would upon a handsome competence. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the ceiling. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Stolen, then." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I would give my fortune to have them back." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And how have you succeeded?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that there was nothing in it, after all." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to Leatherhead. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my delighted to hear it," he said. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very strength." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I have a cab outside." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "No. His orders were to stay in the house." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me