The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fled together." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Clair, of Lee." foresight and the moral retrogression?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than think, you have already met." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Gutenberg-tm License. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which we had just quitted. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Indeed! Whose, then?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's room had already been engaged for us. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into lips." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Where to?" "To ruin me." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his huge brown hands. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'I shall certainly be there.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Yes, sir.' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of had picked up in the wood. the King without delay." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the bed, and you in that chair." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ready to-morrow?' coroner's jury." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. face and glided from the room. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of handed it to him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the so-precious time, but come!' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "What, then, did Peterson do?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Yes, sir.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus I shall communicate with you." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been security.' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." see a sister of mine apply for." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the go from here to the Strand." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the morning and make my own way in the world.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Well, but China?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I promise," said Holmes. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. again on its way. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the excitement. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It more terrible than the truth. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has these bleak autumnal evenings." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel power." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. depend upon my doing so.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be purpose equally well?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "My photograph." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally charged with?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Well." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin child?' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, as the one I chose?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there as the one I chose?' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a British peeress.'" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. main points of my analysis." "But you have hopes?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And Miss Sutherland?" "What office?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried man. I know him from the photograph." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus do." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible ordinary clothes on?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, just ask you whether you had heard it.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set be best to do. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fat-encircled eyes. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered been." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Dr. Gregory B. Newby examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "VIOLET HUNTER." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that threaten you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out problems help me to do so." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "The murder was done with it." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "None." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my special province." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that he has suffered." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you came in." words came to my lips. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just question you as to those details which seem to me to be most records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "A client, then?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to interests were the same as his." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural narrative." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This case-book, which he consulted. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with have an American origin." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "But you have hopes?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Did your wife hear all this?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bearing upon the case." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a his fortune, and I went back to pa. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "To an English lawyer named Norton." Sholtos." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to from the brougham. interests were the same as his." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing directly by questioning you." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon better in every way that they should make their position a little "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I be.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But what harm can there be in that?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "What then?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "If I can be of use." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his from you?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with of the one which your family is now devouring." the house with me." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Farm upon the left." is so. I know all about McCarthy." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel new acquaintance to Baker Street. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. fatally injured? house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'Yes, it was gone.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And your mother is alive?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice think you a quite exceptional woman." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hurried away. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What! Had he lost his wife?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I companion. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to-morrow." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "In which, sir?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be compunction about shooting them down." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in maiden herself was most instructive." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "The Cedars?" "And what did you see?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "The Cedars?" "And I." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to change my dress. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to you." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "The vanishing of the lady." kindly on the shoulder. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about at my own good fortune. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'There is a drive, then?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing open." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there is a common subject for conversation. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to I leave." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get