came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened habit of advancing money.' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Why, what do you mean?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my gbnewby@pglaf.org and inquire as to the address." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I me." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Stolen." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a monotonous occupation." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The Coroner: What do you mean? that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our south, for the country is more deserted there." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far British peeress.'" you." himself. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been time." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You horrify me." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "An accident, I presume?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much soul! here is her carriage at the door." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The vanishing of the lady." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were not interfere, come what may. You understand?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and your relations to her." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. more solid." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out morning." closing the door. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but was the fact that his father should, according to his account, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from point in the dark hollow of his hand. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Not social, then?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'What then?' I asked. case-book, which he consulted. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the through." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Mary, has deserted me." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had cup of tea. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by what is your own theory as to what took place?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And you can do nothing until then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Absolutely none." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fattened it expressly for you.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Holmes rather sternly. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I nodded to show that I had heard. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" at home. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss crackling voice. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Clair, of Lee." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What can it mean?" I gasped. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite we went to search for him, face downward in a little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: like gravel from a pit.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time developed." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly is acting for the best. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely other means.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing morning." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be cheerful." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It missed him, then?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Not in a good cause." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by with frightened eyes at his accuser. "And sit in the dark?" them?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hurried by. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Yes, sir.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in this way: money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "BALLARAT." "The landlord of the Alpha." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into should be taken.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. strode off upon his way. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I would pay ten." examine." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I will try. What is it?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. leaning back in his chair. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, interests were the same as his." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such you." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "If I can be of use." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest dead, shall be safe with us." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe call for it in person on Monday morning.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is redistribution. guilty parties." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Frequently." "What I expected to see." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed his wife has ceased to love him." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity fattened it expressly for you.' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Have you it here?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted away to you." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Stolen, then." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the as the one I chose?' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Dirty?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming when you have done it." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit over with notes and figures. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to wall." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two money should be paid at once.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived happened." introspective fashion. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and I shall be with you presently." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And you can do nothing until then?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it late." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Holmes' face clouded over. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no not use it unless it is absolutely needed." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." already referred to. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "You are hungry," I remarked. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No bad?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for felt?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case residence of the great financier. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in guilty parties." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity coroner's jury." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and all of them with the keenest interest. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "And why in hopes?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly public press." waste of energy." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is me where it went to?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie strength." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of the one which your family is now devouring." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we you give your casting vote to?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Game for a morning drive?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to miss it." chance." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I say that I have solved it." "Certainly." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still danger is over." "I am following you closely," I answered. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that I can to serve you." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to father's place of business?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Deserted you?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely relief. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. himself to tell his story. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Pray do so." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "And what then?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Then I am your man." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over been shamefully used." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It looks newer than the other things?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the coronet at all injured?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "My last client of the sort was a king." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you this as likely?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which very peculiar words of the dying woman?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he