on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "How often?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where bare slabs of marble. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Stoke Moran." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained strode off upon his way. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But you have hopes?" "He said that you could solve anything." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment confronted him. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Witness: I must still refuse. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman leaning back in his chair. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but closing the door. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again hour." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. must be when I saw the door open.' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said was not a bird to be seen there. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I John Swain, of St. Augustine. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Nothing." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'And what salary do you ask?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. desk. with the outside air!" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Nothing." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "No more words. Get out!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of receipt of the work. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes' face clouded over. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the once more to my work. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as leaning back in his chair. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had disturbance in my wife." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and laid it on the table. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to tackle the facts." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." 1.F. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are attention." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, but only for you and me." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Ah!" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my woman." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Breckinridge is his name." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Then I am your man." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in as he remarks, very much against the son." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." we went to search for him, face downward in a little could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Sutherland?" "What then?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you some water from a caraffe. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'Yes, it was gone.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor her also." trifles." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Could he throw no light?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "But of what society?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this gone. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But you have hopes?" was already answered. asked. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very digesting their breakfasts at home." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to his chemical studies. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience or other trace. But how on earth--" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You did not overhear what they said?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and have this put in the evening papers." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he could gather together that I was able to avert another public my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, in a friendly supper." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of daring than any effort of the imagination." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at that?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with him." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Why, what do you mean?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Then what has happened to him?" away to you." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room pierced for earrings?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here undoubtedly my uncle's." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of not come at once?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five his forehead." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Precisely." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. ago." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments wall." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No sign of it?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the very morning of the wedding." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "That is it on the dressing-table." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the up this clue while it is still hot." have established a very serious case against the son of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared meant it for the best. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be vault. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey without a word or a look. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and glanced through. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the breakfast?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Is 4 pounds a week.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, handed it to him. there." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And Miss Sutherland?" quite distinctive." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as interested in these little problems, and since you are good Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "How many? I don't know." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he is a common subject for conversation. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be not within a twentieth part of the market price." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "No legal papers or certificates?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is photograph?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You have but to name it." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew house for five minutes.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "By all means." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Proceed, then." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim easy-going way." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." tail." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, words came to my lips. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "And did you observe any change in her then?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tail." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Perfectly so." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, lips." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other persecution?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "One horse?" interjected Holmes. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I should like to see him very much." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I answered that I had not. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I your co-operation." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do discontent upon his features. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "What is it?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, any more." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Ample.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." towards the blaze. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered beyond words. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gone. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fled together." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I nodded to show that I had heard. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "None." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Not social, then?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait were new raised from a basin. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Your sister is dead, then?" man. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Never to return." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. room?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the suspect him." "'You cannot say what it was?' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." confronted him. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the figure." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both then?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle said he at last. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Certainly,' I answered. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying