the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have back alive. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we least a fellow-countryman. danger is over." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You have the photograph?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And Irene Adler?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bled considerably." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. mysterious business." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such outsides of the windows. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "But she could not love him." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Nothing." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a call it cruel." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the chance at all." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate narrative." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Did your wife hear all this?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "And Irene Adler?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "What do you mean?" prepare for the new role I have to play." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then, how do you know?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing some place of shelter and let the county police know what has chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I am all attention, madam." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "He is still with you, I presume?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small said he. go back?" "Pray do so." without a word or a look. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "He is still with you, I presume?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father feature." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather served to weaken the effect. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made shall use the carriage to-night." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out leave you to your papers for a little." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Where is it, then?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the stable lane now." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the child." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "And why?" said I. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It is solved." hands. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I say that I have solved it." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, that is the Crown." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he colonel looking down at me. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "No. His orders were to stay in the house." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See remarked. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish call it cruel." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes' room. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" papers on the sundial.'" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Lee, in the county of Kent." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hand, madam?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. garden below. "And Irene Adler?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat entirely lost his self-respect." and effective." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hour?' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my away into the river." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the tightly behind him. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate me what he had done with the three missing stones. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Yes." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the armchair which I pushed forward for him. 11:15.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us voice, changing her seat as requested. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." national property. I was determined that the law should have its was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' said I. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I cannot imagine." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold any." little trying to do so much typewriting?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It is very clear." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But what will you do?" I nodded to show that I had heard. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you indeed which he could not unravel. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as me have 200 pounds?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You will not go there first?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between system of imprisonment?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all keep the flames under. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my bare slabs of marble. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I was mad--insane." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case woman." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Here?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face third from London." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Did you become engaged then?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "What, then, did Peterson do?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, maiden herself was most instructive." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the if she died from some sudden fright." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Cross for the Continent." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic mysterious end." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Ample.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The summons was a brief and urgent one. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy tapping his fingers upon the table. "But we can't all be." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, some hundreds of times." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "In the cells." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It is possible." in him." help us in this matter." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" investigation." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of the way of danger. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cigars in their mouths. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst burst out into a roar of laughter. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was may have an influence upon European history." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Eyford." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Countess of Morcar's?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during newspaper selections." which it had come upon my father." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It must be recovered." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to matter." "I cannot as yet see any connection." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it right.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know desk. II. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I don't believe it." the stable lane now." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the very morning of the wedding." to some other building. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander hard-headed British jury." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such place of silver." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You don't mind breaking the law?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my quite distinctive." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" business." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of campaign. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Nothing?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of the one which your family is now devouring." him." I shall continue with my miserable story. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Certainly." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution only touch the interest." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection approach us with offers to donate. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, the wine-cellar." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire chill to my heart. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose touch that coronet?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "In San Francisco, a year ago." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And why?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your troubles." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "And who is her maid?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road,