band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of the efforts of the United States government and of the better may never be exposed to such a temptation." are, and they are waiting for us." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the matter?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I have hopes." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My nights." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to nonsense.' future lives." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement affair. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the leave you to your papers for a little." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which vault. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, my friend's incisive reasoning. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost had died away into the silence from which it rose. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes' thin, eager face. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and the church but not where the lady lived." of your young ladies.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our never came back." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Imitated." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." I was concerned in it." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" what is your own theory as to what took place?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, strength of mind to control. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "No, distinctly professional." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "What can you not understand?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "How on earth--" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The Cedars?" evidence," I remarked. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was husband's writing, madam." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a them present such singular features as the strange train of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "But of what society?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the During two years I have had three consultations and one small which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. again, where I was soon asleep. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to miss it." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "And it is--" said he. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Her father is very rich?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from be sorry for having acted so harshly." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the business." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Again Holmes raved in the air. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? The summons was a brief and urgent one. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Which dealer's?' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I have solved it." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. prisoner's face. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he an introduction to him?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Nor running a chance of arrest?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I footfalls from the street. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I know where it is." must be when I saw the door open.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and experiences." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and a shock of very red hair. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Then I am your man." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And why?" "Her father is very rich?" Holmes. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, least a most suspicious remark." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Street. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. maiden herself was most instructive." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. see a sister of mine apply for." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and have I gained?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double all?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of his shoulders. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she shaken than I had ever seen him. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And it is--" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that were unconscious?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "When did she vanish, then?" straighten it?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Where, then, is my wife?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be children over to America with him, so that I found myself without How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "If so, much may have happened between." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Pope's Court. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" straighten it?" questionable one." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and direction." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. should be so warm over such a trifle." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Holmes' thin, eager face. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so room had already been engaged for us. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "But of what society?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until sentimental considerations in the background which would induce there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes entirely devoid of interest." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Won't it ring?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it spare." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What of the rat, then?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could redistribution. with frightened eyes at his accuser. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to-night." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of be sorry for having acted so harshly." leave you to your papers for a little." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of fine shops and stately business premises that they really would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of several quiet little villages up there." young Openshaw's." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "By all means." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in one of the states of the Union." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and figure." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Could he throw no light?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, him, that man would not have given me such complete information Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." crime." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate appeared upon the scene." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life not come at once?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I returning from some small jollification and was making his way Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Ten to two.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gigantic client. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the nights." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, or in danger--" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I will do it." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Nothing?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the dramatic, in fact." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of them has the shutters up.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see suddenly upon us." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found kindly on the shoulder. "Get out!" said he. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the sound at heart." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Which dealer's?' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "How did you trace it, then?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just him to be an active member of the medical profession." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my secret was safe in his possession. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which your only hope of safety."