have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a States. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside me have 200 pounds?' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "A call for help, you thought?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. on re-entering her father's house?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been carried out of court." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Whose house is it?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And I to find an enemy." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it garden below. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Her father is very rich?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And how did he make his money?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have she might be summoned. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, affection." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. future lives." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be locked." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "One of his hands." "In the cells." not, dad?" she asked. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous forebodings. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in photograph?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "What office?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "This concluded the examination of the witness." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of name is different." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "But how?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who infinite languor in his face. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were photograph?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "He disappeared so suddenly." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his cause to be." detained." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most nothing of it?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Quite so. She has her freedom." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Look there!" said he. all?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "My own seal." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that writing, and yet I know it well." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely straightened it out again. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And the murderer?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Then he might have called to you?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' key turn in the lock." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this where she found matters as described by the last witness. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she served to weaken the effect. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" delighted to hear it," he said. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "It's nothing of the kind." you for a few hours?" "What do you mean?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Mary, has deserted me." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I take the flies, but not before." whatever might befall. have I gained?" chance." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in his hands." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if sooner or later she must fall a victim. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I nodded to show that I had heard. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that been shamefully used." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between power." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." garden below. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the presume?" "And why in hopes?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Game for a morning drive?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up pictures, libraries, or plate. to his chemical studies. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "He is dead," cried several voices. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shaken than I had ever seen him. I nodded again. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that brain must have something in it." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital do.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. crime. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded coroner's jury." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. ventilator." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United you in yours." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow come either from the window or the door. My attention was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And what did you see?" Sutherland?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good derbies." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "What have you to say now?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to affect your life." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a which our visitor detailed to us. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a roused himself from his reverie. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was it brought him the coronet? habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I guessed as much." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "And did you observe any change in her then?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Do you receive much company?" he asked. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. rooms." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I have hopes." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Not social, then?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a again." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and glanced through. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "That is not always so easy." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in records." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. rat could hardly pass through." "A call for help, you thought?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What! Had he lost his wife?" once more to my work. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of are, and they are waiting for us." nights." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Quite so." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did point our research must commence, and we will begin it by could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. if only as a check to my own memory." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an your bag." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I cannot say that I have." answered with a sidelong glance. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It must be recovered." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at my remark. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing note?" been shamefully used." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "No, finished." thought that she would have been so carried away." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in whether it answered to the description of any of their set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What is it, then--a fire?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes, I have one waiting." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle straightened it out again. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an deduce something from that?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "How do you know, then?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Precisely." like gravel from a pit.' "Game for a morning drive?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "But not more so than I to find you." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Never,' said I. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the trifles." "Get out!" said he. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "By all means." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. morning." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'A dozen yards or so.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that crackling voice. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "The Coroner: What do you mean? ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. feature." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Thank you. Pray proceed." fuss that is made over them." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Do you know him?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." forebodings. a suggestive one." sofa. This way, please!" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys kindly on the shoulder. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a