as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a been able to understand it, in a very few words. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of kindly on the shoulder. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." tail." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I am still in the dark." leaning back in his chair. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly you for a few hours?" me have 200 pounds?' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, recover the gem." "That is easily got." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice little trying to do so much typewriting?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that he will be back before evening." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, them?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "My last client of the sort was a king." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." arrested. You then--" sneer upon his pale face. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "That is unusual in a young girl." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." man. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and allusion to a rat. overpowering excitement and concern. his forehead." the house with me." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Certainly." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread might help us?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Here?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It was." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Pray be precise as to details," said he. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. was a lad." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to national property. I was determined that the law should have its that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' me." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Then, as to money?" the King without delay." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not shag which I had seen upon the previous night. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" detained." "Yes, only one." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to have an American origin." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But what will you do?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, DAMAGE. in one or two places in England?' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I came to find a friend." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and it need not interfere very much with one's other very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest III. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one not, dad?" she asked. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is redistribution. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who returned to France?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." awkward doing business with an alias." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all putting in the horse. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn him!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And your mother is alive?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable keep the flames under. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "A confidential servant?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Certainly." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, this remarkable episode. signal between you and your father? "I don't believe it." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Eyford at 11:15.' views." before, for it was considerably after midnight. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "An enemy?" had picked up in the wood. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My Mary? Impossible!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And who is her maid?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. unclasping of his long thin hands. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "That was it, sir." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the side-table." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Very much so." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two were new raised from a basin. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may ways of our fellow-men." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, bonnet, and went out." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone written, and locked the door of the office after me. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something any more." meanly of me." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yes, it was twisted." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. might have a private word with us. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The King of Scandinavia." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding mysterious business." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Did you become engaged then?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes were wasted." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for His name is Francis Prosper." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Was there a secret marriage?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about front of the hall door has given its name to the place. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which was all perfectly true. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to me. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and it need not interfere very much with one's other For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have best detective that ever lived. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" himself in a perplexing position. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. instincts rose up against that laugh. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Mrs. Toller serenely. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of a light. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Married! When?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You think so, too?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided more solid." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "One of his hands." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be himself. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "We have tried and failed." weapon." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I cannot imagine." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but carriage. It was a chestnut." "An enemy?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove me." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful will be renamed. "I don't believe it." indeed which he could not unravel. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, putting in the horse. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way friend's singular character. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, helping a boy to put up the shutters. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your other means.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her What do you deduce from it?" "You know me, then?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much any more." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Which are?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to excitement. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in like that before?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "No, I am descending." "She showed me, as I told you she would." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the The summons was a brief and urgent one. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. death." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It's nothing of the kind." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You were travelling in the States?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Mrs. Toller serenely. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and that he would see to anything that turned up. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." business matters.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the other, as fresh and trim as possible. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest upon an income of about 60 pounds." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." rat could hardly pass through." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works more solid." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I was mad--insane." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It is true that I have been generally successful." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were memory. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Heh?' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Dr. Becher's." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the