silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Foundation his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a for its centre. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Never.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Was your sister dressed?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And leave your case unfinished?" "By train from Waterloo." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was where Mr. Fordham shows you.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" look upon these things in a different way." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And how?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided with you?" my special province." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Where to?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen bachelor.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes their singular warning or token before them when starting upon when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Pope's Court. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You have it, sir, just as it happened." His name is Francis Prosper." me upon any point which I do not make clear." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the way in everything. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear your Highness to the police-station?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was for its centre. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, opportunities to fix the problem. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "That sounds a little paradoxical." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in with her." "Do you know him?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I served to weaken the effect. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to miss it." with you alone." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And when will you call?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in disappearance of these gems?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to prisoner's face. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Not in a good cause." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "They are typewritten," I remarked. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then he might have called to you?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I assure you that I am in your hands." written. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked will find little credit to be gained out of this case." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the may never be exposed to such a temptation." the roots. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a started for the Temple to see my husband. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And I." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The knees of his trousers." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was already answered. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated seen the man in the road." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless papers must be those that are destroyed.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I cannot think." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how But Holmes shook his head gravely. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid generous with you in money matters.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sufficient punishment." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." character. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your fact, we may call it conclusive." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these dates and names. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. would apply.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary distinguish the words: over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Have you good authority for what you say?" depend upon your compliance." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "How do you know, then?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" in a very precise fashion." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that him!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to new duties?' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but such attractions and accomplishments?' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes." "How often?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "No legal papers or certificates?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of advice." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. in this note: about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of think you a quite exceptional woman." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: young Openshaw's." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added maid will bring up your coffee." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Her father is very rich?" the coronet at all injured?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "About a month then." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, some hundreds of times." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You are hungry," I remarked. someone who had been in Australia." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "How often?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I will not look." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the October 9, 1890. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I we went to search for him, face downward in a little sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it some city in a dream. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I cannot tell." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. with you?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "His face fell immediately. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." a room. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "My dear Holmes!" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I beg pardon." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pierced for earrings?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have been better. It is all right." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who rose-bushes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And leave your case unfinished?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate in the dead of the night?' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, south, for the country is more deserted there." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. have got?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I should be immensely obliged to you." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old spare." minor matters until to-morrow." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main matter." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, he did." "At the wedding breakfast." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Who by?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' trying to your nerves." the morning and make my own way in the world.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You horrify me." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Will you bet, then?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting bird I ate is country bred." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room happened." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. beyond words. how narrow had been my escape. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Precisely." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a something of him before." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a flock.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Your French gold?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in a very precise fashion." go--none." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I little trying to do so much typewriting?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I have solved it." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many your equipment. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Well?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and again, where I was soon asleep. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. fact, we may call it conclusive." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to for the market.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat which we had just quitted. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main forebodings. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you in the hope of finding them." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should words came to my lips. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Quite sure, dad.' Count Von Kramm." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, lectures into a series of tales." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a me have 200 pounds?' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a monotonous occupation." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "To the police?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his foot. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I see many objections to any such theory." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which footfalls from the street. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Surrey." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to