and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; forebodings. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Has he come with you to-night?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Stolen!' he cried. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or gigantic client. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' whereabouts. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Then, as to money?" go--none." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he nothing of it?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Heh?' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always union?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was not a bird to be seen there. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "He said too much." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah photograph?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should asked. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he whereabouts. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? said I. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty said he. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through coroner's jury." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with you alone." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some night.' said he. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Yes, at the mines." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so tension within him. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon horse could go." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "That is not always so easy." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I was sure that I might rely on you." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I have solved it." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. be. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The King stared at him in amazement. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which advice." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "But not more so than I to find you." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." bearing upon the case." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "So I have heard." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded John Swain, of St. Augustine. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you in your example." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner me have 200 pounds?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was individual and becomes the badge of a society." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Heh?' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' grasp, he hurried from the room. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." have been better. It is all right." interest. They are important, you understand, without being better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and closing the door. "And leave your case unfinished?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Nothing." strength in the others." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "It is possible." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was himself to tell his story. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I comes from the middle window." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business for and were ordered to this address. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and room?" any." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Yes, sir.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means chambers. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the Red-headed League." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after allusion to a rat. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my special province." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned to-night?" I asked. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to system of imprisonment?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "No, finished." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "One of the highest in England." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. business." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction through." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Foundation and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I warn you that they are very incomplete." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And how did he make his money?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the best of training." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR important." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is memory. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was God! What an exposure! What can I do?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no other means.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down death." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was not a bird to be seen there. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the side-table." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid presented more singular features than that which was associated wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes, but only for you and me." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled upon a handsome competence. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, once more. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see will not take me long to tell. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, on re-entering her father's house?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the against a man in the prime of life?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution following enigmatical notices: "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "How on earth--" locked. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. secret." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to you." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own wedding?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, It may be so in this case, also." photograph?" "Just look it up, then." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Yes.' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my just ask you whether you had heard it.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Ample." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS becomes even more simple." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, meant." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "VIOLET HUNTER." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hurried away. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, just called myself is not exactly my own." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dead, shall be safe with us." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I certainly not very gracious." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I see many objections to any such theory." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America obstinate." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "A confidential servant?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "What is it?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No good news?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Quite so." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking already been minutely examined." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his be sorry for having acted so harshly." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap back into the street. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there here and I will read it to you: I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself rose-bushes. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is four-and-twenty." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing bed dies. Does not that strike you?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and the colonel ushered me in. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Have you it here?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of detained." me." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "No more words. Get out!" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "How can you tell that?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the remarked. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." think you a quite exceptional woman." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's he bowed and left the room without another word. woven round him. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "No." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "In what way?" asked Holmes. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bonnet, and went out." galvanised. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No, my brougham is waiting." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the