prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for beg that you will break it off." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may shag which I had seen upon the previous night. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is you want, then?' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to-morrow." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. asked. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Just look it up, then." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Foundation "And now?" I asked. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, You want to know what became of those geese?" less than 26s. 4d. fact, we may call it conclusive." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" see me here to avoid scandal." out." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See galvanised. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "And now?" He raised his hand. "We have tried and failed." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "How did you deduce the select?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal For additional contact information: his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying should be taken.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and noting anything else of interest. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the warnings." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a been deceived." correct than the official force." important." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can room had already been engaged for us. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already future lives." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more this truth that in these little records of our cases which you give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Could he throw no light?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the she to prove their authenticity?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was not a bird to be seen there. Sholtos." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have closely." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Certainly." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before could not account in any way for the presence of the missing civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that there was nothing in it, after all." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. page at http://pglaf.org every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But your client--" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Lee, in the county of Kent." "Yes." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Certainly." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Again Holmes raved in the air. morning." "His face fell immediately. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Pray tell us what has happened to you." touch that coronet?' "Get out!" said he. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down matter." Eyford." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him awaited us upon the table. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And how did you verify them?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I say that I have solved it." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and overpowering excitement and concern. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, approach us with offers to donate. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who cause to be." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now death." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in words came to my lips. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as criminal. We have already had experience of such." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I cannot imagine." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have enter Dr. Roylott's room." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes, he did." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Seven!" I answered. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "The knees of his trousers." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "To the police?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Seven!" I answered. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "When did it break out?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "But it has twice been burgled." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a fashion which was peculiar to him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past least a most suspicious remark." papers diligently of late, have you not?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were particular state visit http://pglaf.org in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I that you can jump it.' locked." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the matter?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one presume?" charged with?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Get out!" said he. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has all-comprehensive glances. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do narrative." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And how did you find out?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." I have it here in my museum." how narrow had been my escape. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Yes, sir.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the chemical work which was so dear to him. maid will bring up your coffee." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the derbies." forbidden door. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "On Monday." empty. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any not use it unless it is absolutely needed." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness passage and a tap at the door. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "What will you say?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head other means.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "She will not sell." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we least a fellow-countryman. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the warnings." prison!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yes, only one." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. union?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Stoke Moran." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and gives a meaning to it." them?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at plantation.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of me what he had done with the three missing stones. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the best of training." "The landlord of the Alpha." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Serpentine Avenue. them, and came down just as you departed. "How are you getting on?" enter into my head. carpenter." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced characteristics, but those are the more obvious." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. respectable self." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the some water from a caraffe. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered own family. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing assist you in forming an opinion." this remarkable episode. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about should be so warm over such a trifle." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to have been novel and of interest." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I followed. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Where to?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the general public were present, then?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The doctor?" you understand?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be little trying to do so much typewriting?" late." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Clair, of Lee." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Nothing." speckled band?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "To the police?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to over part of the map. "What do you read?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You think so, too?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to you." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. question. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have