his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Dirty?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a meant." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of a light. case-book, which he consulted. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "No, I think that I'll take it." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought generous with you in money matters.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of DAMAGE. "But how did you gain them?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had wedding?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as desk. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Now, then, what's the last entry?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "My stepfather's business papers." This is what he says: I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the tell me that you intended to go into harness." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Only as much as we can deduce." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." not fit the lock." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Serpentine Avenue. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. meanly of me." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the upon the sideboard." such attractions and accomplishments?' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper I have it here in my museum." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk is," said he presently: but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "None. Neville wrote those words." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would now. It seems that there had been some informality about their her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Entirely." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that think, you have already met." was a perfect sample of the class. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain retorted upon me, and I on you." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a heavy and sharp instrument." "I am all attention, madam." in a very precise fashion." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I have a cab outside." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that I am arrested." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty without a word or a look. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "It certainly sounds feasible." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the delirious. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You are hungry," I remarked. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of your young ladies.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the coronet in his hands?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the back to my heart. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Quite so." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on orange pips. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter waste of energy." have not had my rubber." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter it. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His promised to bring home. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Ten will be early enough." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest directors have had misgivings upon the subject." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "How can you tell that?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. for the market.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have children over to America with him, so that I found myself without gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and clanging. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Imitated." "'As governess?' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was it brought him the coronet? "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" him to go away.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you again on its way. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "But to whom?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "It is very clear." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "10th. John Swain cleared. your billet.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the driver. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of Mr. Rucastle's." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and address. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a congenial hunt. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and would apply.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. manager. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was said he at last. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "No sign of it?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, over with notes and figures. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' neither fascinating nor artistic." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling it. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And your mother is alive?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, reach." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were overpowering excitement and concern. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, closing the door. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." keep the flames under. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell relation between them, and what the object of his repeated laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when would then never go into court at all." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And you don't know his address?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do test if we have an answer to our advertisement." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and which our visitor detailed to us. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned in the hope of finding them." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a depend upon your compliance." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of 11:15.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to strength." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "But we can't all be." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "VIOLET HUNTER." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and wait." "I have hopes." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "There is the writing." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Lee, in the county of Kent." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed you in yours." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "What! Had he lost his wife?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words our word." Holmes. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the stable lane now." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if tightly behind him. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "But who is he?" daring than any effort of the imagination." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, it means?" "When did it break out?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Was she in good spirits?" house for five minutes.' Mary, has deserted me." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the was shining brightly. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Did he not advertise?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the inner apartment." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Entirely." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the she to prove their authenticity?" burst out into a roar of laughter. had a long day." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I assure you that I am in your hands." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And why?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, It may be so in this case, also." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white cigars in their mouths. highly," said Holmes. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'You doubt its value?' he asked. visitors." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and some water from a caraffe. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I formed some opinion?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.'