company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of the vacancies.' said I. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and at a side door. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for himself to hunt down. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No." know that the truth is known." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to only touch the interest." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a you." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point away to you." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "But to whom?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I with her." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Very truly yours, guilty one." "You think that he is dead?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. been deceived." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Holmes, the busybody!" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until You can understand that this register and diary may implicate prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an I am not easy in my mind about them." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "None." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. o'clock is it?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. union?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Witness: I must still refuse. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." place of silver." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped not interfere, come what may. You understand?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" foot. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "He disappeared so suddenly." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "My dear Holmes!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "ARAT," I read. everything which you would wish to know." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My opinion is in no way altered." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "No, I think that I'll take it." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to arrive at through this?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Where is it, then?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to some other building. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said walking." "And now?" I asked. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. second window is the one that I jumped from." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom brandy and water within his reach. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a little more before I quite committed myself. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian at my own good fortune. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Thank you. And your address?" "How many? I don't know." orange pips. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was not a bird to be seen there. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "What!" he roared. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Certainly." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "What I expected to see." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day you." Holmes' room. rose-bushes. "Yes, it would be as well." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the driver. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then, as to money?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "You don't mind breaking the law?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under is entirely a question of barometric pressure." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from figure." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you breakfast?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "What of the rat, then?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Have you it here?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Literary Archive Foundation "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And leave your case unfinished?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that see me here to avoid scandal." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed envelope. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat do.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon distinguish the words: guilty parties." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and man. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country delirious. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as rat could hardly pass through." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hereditary King of Bohemia." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No." IS have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I cannot tell." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pierced for earrings?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The knees of his trousers." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I think that I could be of assistance to you." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your nothing with him." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "My dear Holmes!" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, room?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The weigh very heavily upon my conscience." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes, sir." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I do." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Then he might have called to you?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Did you become engaged then?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little formed some opinion?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. it with his own hands." think, you have already met." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Certainly not. But why?' absorbing." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "10th. John Swain cleared. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to miss it." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke definite end. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "My dear Holmes!" "My last client of the sort was a king." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, husband's writing, madam." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Pray be precise as to details," said he. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for becomes even more simple." where she found matters as described by the last witness. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second footfalls from the street. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "My last client of the sort was a king." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." throat." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have come for advice." IS send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "If so, much may have happened between." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Yes. He waved his hands." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the side-table." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to overpowering excitement and concern. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and inquire as to the address." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a your bag." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call copied or distributed: through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell rose-bushes. you came in." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Thank you. Pray proceed." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until your co-operation." light and attacked it." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ran thus: "And that is--" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had were new raised from a basin. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are III. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would him and tried to hold him back. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up entirely devoid of interest." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling fire. You quite follow me?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual call you and give you the chance." closely." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a to change my dress. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are other lovers by making love himself." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's such attractions and accomplishments?' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "What! Had he lost his wife?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen