it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I cannot say that I have." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. events than those which have happened in my own family." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "A confidential servant?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. is acting for the best. "It is solved." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for said he. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the other, as fresh and trim as possible. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is astonishment. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." straighten it?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. this Miss Turner." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for some city in a dream. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend three of the beryls in it, was missing. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "An accident, I presume?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Holmes. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were were wasted." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of redistribution. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "We must have a cab." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Count Von Kramm." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Oh, yes, easily." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Dirty?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an official police." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make writing, and yet I know it well." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. dead, shall be safe with us." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William go back?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the future lives." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled visitors." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the himself in a perplexing position. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'I shall certainly be there.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Nothing." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Look there!" said he. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: strode off upon his way. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "But you have hopes?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this poor creature." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in legal crime." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder feature." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Certainly." in. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Yes, from Horsham." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "But you were on a friendly footing?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and she used." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong my room." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my he died? "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his unprofitable." ways of our fellow-men." "Whose house is it?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has indeed happy." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice keep the flames under. sound at heart." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It was an hour's good drive." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner test if we have an answer to our advertisement." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Holmes, the busybody!" official police." with frightened eyes at his accuser. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "May I see it?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "And how did you verify them?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and interests were the same as his." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. allusion to a rat. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "In the cells." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of me have 200 pounds?' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is said he. in. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, mystery may be cleared along those lines." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to into the bag, and made for the door. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "That is possible." "I cannot say that I have." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, horse could go." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It was." most interesting one." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, again, where I was soon asleep. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking character. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gone. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But he might be a bachelor." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Her father is very rich?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. so.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a chill to my heart. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your awkward doing business with an alias." "It looks newer than the other things?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It way in everything. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But what harm can there be in that?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each if only as a check to my own memory." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Yes, only one." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And why in hopes?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and had this final quarrel? my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stammered. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in he. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then companion. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Yes." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Stoke Moran." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold any more." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Where, indeed?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that I can to serve you." "'In my own bureau.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See status with the IRS. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 'please.'" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Why did you pick him?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin unprecedented a position." "I am all attention, madam." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left would then never go into court at all." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of your bag." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "To the police?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them appeared upon the scene." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "What, then, did Peterson do?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Entirely.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the in the port of London." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, late." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but do you make of it all?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the fled together." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "But how did you gain them?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to a more successful conclusion." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "By all means." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Murdered?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young newspaper selections." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year confronted him. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "9th. McCauley cleared. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "About a month then." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, companion imperturbably. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." forehead. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Pope's Court. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The murder was done with it." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. my friend's incisive reasoning. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lost his Christmas dinner." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I shall most certainly do so." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But what will you do?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," union?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent