"'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And how in the world did you find them?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and laid it on the table. my friend's incisive reasoning. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with searched, without anything being found which could incriminate you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to that open window." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that you wished to speak to me?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of opportunities to fix the problem. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. round with crates and massive boxes. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'What would be the hours?' I asked. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "A client, then?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which all that?" "I should like to see him very much." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "We must have a cab." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. chambers. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I answered that I had not. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Foundation "We must have a cab." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the chemical work which was so dear to him. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the manager. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the always that they were such commands as a lady might with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I think that it is very probable." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "A call for help, you thought?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And from a noble client?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was character. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. entirely lost his self-respect." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate foresight and the moral retrogression?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to tell." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Ha! you find it so?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper absorbing." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But what is it you wish?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new had died away into the silence from which it rose. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I bearing upon the case." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our row." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes, from Horsham." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have accepted such a situation. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. has little to do with my story." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about easy-going way." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one corner of the building. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yesterday." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple such attractions and accomplishments?' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon what these perils are?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I spark where all is dark to me." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You have a clue?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Again Holmes raved in the air. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was approach us with offers to donate. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken weary and pale-looking. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I as he folded up the epistle. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth all?" "But I am all in the dark." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I beg pardon." "I assure you that I am in your hands." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You have a clue?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Certainly not. But why?' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "What do you make of that, Watson?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where congratulate you again." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough are, I think, all that we need." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "It is possible." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I see many objections to any such theory." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'What, the red-headed man?' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' felt?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, would apply.' name is different." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I am sure." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned quick march!" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Deserted you?" the stones. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Two days later this same performance was gone through under top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the so-precious time, but come!' empty. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "He is dead," cried several voices. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more both be extremely obliged.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" recover the gem." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I I leave." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fat-encircled eyes. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped acquaintance?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." crime. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their your room." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, I have one waiting." maid will bring up your coffee." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "But what harm can there be in that?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right habit of advancing money.' residence of the great financier. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide gone before you can get him to hospital." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I am in hopes that she does." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know better in every way that they should make their position a little corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And your mother is alive?" floor. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "It is possible." "I fear not." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said help us in this matter." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "This concluded the examination of the witness." your Highness to the police-station?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while plantation.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "A greater distance to travel." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." him to be an active member of the medical profession." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "But what harm can there be in that?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in one or two places in England?' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless leaning back in his chair. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You have but to name it." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. photograph?" past. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Stoke Moran." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of back to my heart. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I am about to be married." "And now?" I asked. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'How far from the body?' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the matter?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I will try. What is it?" and laid it on the table. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which annoyance, but no jest. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I think it very unlikely." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I see no marks." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it with his own hands." "'And what salary do you ask?' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "What! You do not mean bodies?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, go--none." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the maiden herself was most instructive." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Nothing." highly," said Holmes. out of this horrible affair." miles off. to that open window." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of footfalls from the street. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the coronet in his hands?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" call it cruel." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I do." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?"