us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Then, how do you know?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I joking. crime." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that you can jump it.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the leave you to your papers for a little." Serpentine Avenue. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "And who is her maid?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I cannot say that I have." hour?' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It must be recovered." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as this remarkable episode. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," I shall communicate with you." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I am in hopes that she does." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies My friend smiled. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Yes, I promise.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a monotonous occupation." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, wife's character?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "In the cells." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question it with his own hands." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Could he throw no light?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of McCarthy's innocence. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would hereditary King of Bohemia." you do it in twenty minutes!' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project with frightened eyes at his accuser. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Edgeware Road. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Never to return." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I am sure." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being as he folded up the epistle. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Pray let us have it, for all that." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the went to the Alpha were town bred." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest in a very precise fashion." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and the colonel ushered me in. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there girl said." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the when your master had gone out." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "You have it, sir, just as it happened." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn within hail.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." said he. train.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not yet." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Who was the criminal, then?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Can I be of assistance?" less than 26s. 4d. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "He might." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'I am sure if I had known--' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of rooms." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The Coroner: What do you mean? recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "About a month then." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I me have 200 pounds?' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and confronted him. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Then you may be so with me." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the better in every way that they should make their position a little the very letters. But what is this written above them?' might help us?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "That is not always so easy." written. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds paper in the air. Leadenhall Street--and--" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I like gravel from a pit.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have got?" "I know where it is." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "But what is it you wish?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of morning." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You letters?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in get the tickets." knowledge of the world." washing it down with a long draught of water. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Deserted you?" in a very precise fashion." plantation.' "How are you getting on?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hands. Arthur Conan Doyle "Come in!" said Holmes. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my point in the dark hollow of his hand. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there during the last few years, and there are many noble families to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, business." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a letters?" "Yes, all." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stammered. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk whereabouts. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What! a murderous attack?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three asked. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. hereditary King of Bohemia." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I public press." me where it went to?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray know all about it," he snarled. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He himself to tell his story. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in this note: "Then how many are there?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I cannot as yet see any connection." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a very grave face. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "No, I am descending." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Ample.' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" woman." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by confronted him. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Never.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my friend's incisive reasoning. "I promise," said Holmes. nice household for a young lady." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her views." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. business." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very arrested. You then--" "What is it?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Have you her photograph?" even of instruction." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And now?" He raised his hand. "None." always that they were such commands as a lady might with him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was a perfect sample of the class. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "In answer to an advertisement." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I will do it." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I cannot imagine." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking appeared upon the scene." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness just called myself is not exactly my own." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and files of the old papers, following the future career of every outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I do." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the arrangements." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which American. Then who could this American be, and why should he morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And how have you succeeded?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, figure." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and all?" it." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Not in the least." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of arrested. You then--" there." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the observed. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in late." "If so, much may have happened between." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." again, where I was soon asleep. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Frequently." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the experiences." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Nothing." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you in yours." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. door?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Nothing." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the child." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it salesman. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." outsides of the windows. "I will try. What is it?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost."