explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "The knees of his trousers." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence be there in time for your coming." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. legal crime." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Not yet." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an clang of the bell. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of unclasping of his long thin hands. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Never.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I have it here in my museum." hand, madam?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Only as much as we can deduce." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Ah!" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." your Highness to the police-station?" conduct the inquiry." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is him nearly every evening." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a confronted him. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the what these perils are?" "Yes, sir." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "On Monday." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to tackle the facts." "No, but the enclosure is." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean when your master had gone out." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. a suggestive one." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Frequently." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without weary and pale-looking. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "That was it, sir." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his my little problems." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' desk. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a chamber." "Bought." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "She told me to ask you." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon think, you have already met." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I to tackle the facts." pierced for earrings?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which could go. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Literary Archive Foundation may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the general public were present, then?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Heh?' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could noting anything else of interest. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" strength of mind to control. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." he. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Was he the only applicant?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to looking up at the numbers of the houses." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the ceiling. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." national property. I was determined that the law should have its pictures, libraries, or plate. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "The King of Scandinavia." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "What is it, then--a fire?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have fasten all the windows?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that there was nothing in it, after all." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. know what is wrong with it.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything disturbance in my wife." my friend's incisive reasoning. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan over here." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that I may have something better before very many minutes are farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and glanced through. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes. He waved his hands." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The vanishing of the lady." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a him!" writers could invent nothing more crude." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the coronet in his hand?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to disturbance in my wife." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. matter." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sooner or later she must fall a victim. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to used to be." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "One of the highest in England." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. desk. Serpentine Avenue. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Ample.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Two days later this same performance was gone through under figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really corner of the building. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the running down." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the experiences." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, points to suicide?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The murder was done with it." "It came here." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something details." companion quietly. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine highly," said Holmes. "Come in!" said he. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as chamber." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fishes. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as appeal." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and extraordinary contortions. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What steps will you take?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes, he did." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl believe that I should never have any practice at all. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "At what time?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a emerged. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found chill to my heart. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so wedding?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in a very precise fashion." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "That is it on the dressing-table." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a you?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Never,' said I. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Never to return." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Entirely." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'A dozen yards or so.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of girl said." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "My dear Holmes!" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Have you it here?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer hurried away. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Not at all. I only doubt--' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always do you make of it all?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was interests were the same as his." "I have hopes." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be you." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire pound a week." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Oh, fresh and glossy." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Sutherland?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "That was it, sir." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of your young ladies.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Then how many are there?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this side. the south-west, I see." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Henry Baker is a member." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from it were putty." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man to that open window." "What have you to say now?" you in yours." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "By all means." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And why?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation must compliment you." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Where does the thing come from?' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business child?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! enter Dr. Roylott's room." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, but China?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from companion. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was started for the Temple to see my husband. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to his chemical studies. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant get the tickets." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and that he would see to anything that turned up. The summons was a brief and urgent one. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Certainly." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the nursery. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord companion. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or business at Coburg Square is serious." "Certainly." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his face which made him a very different person to the round, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But his left-handedness." "Why did you pick him?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "That is also quite modern," said the lady. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a whatever might befall. the so-precious time, but come!' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. entirely lost his self-respect." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. very morning of my second wedding." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of ways of our fellow-men." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul my former friend and companion. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by carried out of court." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." ran thus: examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" you came in." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You have but to name it." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?"