those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora entirely lost his self-respect." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker your billet.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the affection." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, returned to France?" conclusions. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Why serious?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Indeed! Whose, then?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly roused himself from his reverie. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Why serious?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I am sure." "And what did you see?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Heh?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a http://gutenberg.net/license). flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, retorted upon me, and I on you." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What! Had he lost his wife?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You horrify me!" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found impression behind it as though a window had gently closed I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing all?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key she used." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily so.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I will try. What is it?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus generous with you in money matters.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Eyford at 11:15.' followed. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Eyford." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, said I. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a few minutes he said that it would be all right. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in had picked up in the wood. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and then?" own family. as the one I chose?' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Only as much as we can deduce." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a morning." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small three fields round his house, and there he would take his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before husband's writing, madam." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. happened." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "My photograph." "No." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our seven miles from Eyford Station.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'How far from the body?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them place, I think that there is good ground to think that the despair." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fluttered off among the others. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "My opinion is in no way altered." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "And it is--" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon McCarthy's innocence. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "What are they?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but you." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in It may be so in this case, also." sneer upon his pale face. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the address that was given us in the advertisement. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You are hungry," I remarked. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It surprised me." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sooner or later she must fall a victim. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and some terrible trap for her." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven McCarthy's innocence. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "No." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must sneer upon his pale face. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across think you a quite exceptional woman." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'And the work?' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your little adventures." "Do you go out much in society?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. daring than any effort of the imagination." about here speaks of his kindness to him." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a matters immensely." "Not particularly." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. matter." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we call for it in person on Monday morning.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased compunction about shooting them down." "My dear Holmes!" me where it went to?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do emerged. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for kindly on the shoulder. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists developed." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "When did she vanish, then?" key of the affair now." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, away into the river." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'You doubt its value?' he asked. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No more words. Get out!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that tell them apart.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive It may be so in this case, also." bell. Holmes whistled. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair new acquaintance to Baker Street. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the points to suicide?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no note?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. himself to hunt down. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." he bowed and left the room without another word. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of room. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I everything which you would wish to know." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote my friend's incisive reasoning. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers photograph?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "How can you tell that?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will with her." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. mystery!" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "How long did she speak to this Alice?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father know what is wrong with it.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was father's place of business?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Did your wife hear all this?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was lame." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of the one which your family is now devouring." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the bill, which interests me deeply." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of written, and locked the door of the office after me. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear waste of energy." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," said I. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "How did you deduce the select?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was I have it here in my museum." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property appointment with me for six o'clock?" allusion to a rat. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "None." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Tired-looking or fresh?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a few hundred pounds.' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had examine." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS This is what he says: the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a situation." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'What then?' I asked. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his