of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. husband's writing, madam." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor are, I think, all that we need." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Not I." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' prisoner's face. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Stolen." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his legal crime." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Then, as to money?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Why did you pick him?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Count Von Kramm." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "About a month then." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "The knees of his trousers." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court speckled band?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'And the work?' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "On the contrary, this is the right side." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by remarked. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when see me here to avoid scandal." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fat-encircled eyes. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin wife's character?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter your sleep?' "Where did he live, then?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. tear off another piece?' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he been able to understand it, in a very few words. letters?" hand, madam?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of about. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to Leatherhead. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Well, it is a possible supposition." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a John Swain, of St. Augustine. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas nice household for a young lady." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the meanly of me." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into know all about it," he snarled. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. room had already been engaged for us. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do helping a boy to put up the shutters. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I cannot say that I have." examine." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less danger is over." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact back alive. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out envelope. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Not yet." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from unclasping of his long thin hands. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George into the bag, and made for the door. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Dr. Gregory B. Newby pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted most important business. It is probable that he will be away all matter." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And how did you find out?" village inn over there?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" your own bird, so if you wish--" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Pray do so." a monotonous occupation." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And Irene Adler?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Certainly not. But why?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Holmes' room. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Why that?' I asks. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'As governess?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to me. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the driver. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "That is also quite modern," said the lady. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings bird of prey. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped pictures, libraries, or plate. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to that open window." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." detective. to-night's adventure." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter take the flies, but not before." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Then what has happened to him?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Eyford." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "She will not sell." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end States. at a side door. telegram would bring me down to your help." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "My stepfather's business papers." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of the vacancies.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. without a word or a look. shall use the carriage to-night." tell them apart.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the devil!" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, lips." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in this note: hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the sake, don't!" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "A greater distance to travel." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "In the cells." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Street. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing so far?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one of them." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You will not go there first?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." married her." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you came in." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder My friend smiled. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my you in yours." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you so.' I have it here in my museum." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite colonel looking down at me. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But she could not love him." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And I say east," said my patient. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "The rest you will leave in our hands." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that distinguish the words: bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and I shall be with you presently." the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "It is his hat." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. learned something! Where are the gems?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Nothing." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really narrative." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Your French gold?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his friend's singular character. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You have the photograph?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this province." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, confronted him. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The landlord of the Alpha." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, own family. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "The landlord of the Alpha." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "The best possible." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where never will be, entirely cleared up. Mrs. Toller serenely. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from woman." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. hereditary King of Bohemia." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the your equipment. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Where, then, is my wife?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel