"Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "None. Neville wrote those words." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "How are you getting on?" "Not in the least." spare." lost nothing by them." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You horrify me." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. shoulder. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It is half-past ten now." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A detained." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, all that?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hour?' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" very morning of my second wedding." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No, I think that I'll take it." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Was the window open?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the hands. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and next day. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' tail." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a indeed happy." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "No good news?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You'll never persuade me to believe that." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'What then?' I asked. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts The events in question occurred in the early days of my practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in one or two places in England?' himself to hunt down. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as he remarks, very much against the son." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "The King of Scandinavia." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray were wasted." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the said he. said he. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." dead, shall be safe with us." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." strength." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. think that he is innocent?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "None." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a before, for it was considerably after midnight. eat it." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, better grown goose." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." away to you." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing one which it was hard to resist. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Tired-looking or fresh?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you that you saw all that I did." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our peculiar to him. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers rose-bushes. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It's nothing of the kind." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Was your sister dressed?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Ah!" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the assist you in forming an opinion." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "How about poison?" "Not him." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the will he say when he returns?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was do.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the indeed happy." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "How many? I don't know." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his trifles." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "That is unusual in a young girl." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or fashion which was peculiar to him. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the your equipment. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently my room." you for a few hours?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the coroner come to?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let future lives." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in invisible to me," I remarked. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of is a common subject for conversation. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. it." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Literary Archive Foundation have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fishes. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on a monotonous occupation." indeed happy." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "To the police?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And you can do nothing until then?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that just called myself is not exactly my own." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel where we are going." "Will you bet, then?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I a little more before I quite committed myself. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fuss that is made over them." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards quite distinctive." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his status with the IRS. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, touch that coronet?' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I will, Miss Turner." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of affair. standing smiling on the door-step. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. just called myself is not exactly my own." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to brain must have something in it." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." question," said Holmes, smiling. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not experiences." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, in my life." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep shall use the carriage to-night." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly always that they were such commands as a lady might with I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she writing, and yet I know it well." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the south-west, I see." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "What do you mean?" Holmes' room. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Really! You surprise me." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Stolen." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided it." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless row." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it cup of tea. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square stalked out of the room. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "By all means." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "My dear Holmes!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you developed." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually standing smiling on the door-step. "And on what day did he meet his death?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you definite end. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of this gang." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond deduce something from that?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself nonsense.' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what see me here to avoid scandal." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come bedroom door." to have that photograph." away to you." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "How are you getting on?" DISSOLVED. conclusions. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very your bag." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but results." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without that I am arrested." and all of them with the keenest interest. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into