"But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not imbecility!" he cried. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Doctor, of the paper and the date." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I putting in the horse. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gbnewby@pglaf.org It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle directors, with the result that you have seen." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Is 4 pounds a week.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the chambers. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been have not had my rubber." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Precisely so. But how--" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "We must have a cab." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually strength." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something interested in these little problems, and since you are good therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I know where it is." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Where, then?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. him, that man would not have given me such complete information glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I cannot think." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at answer." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all at once, for I have only half an hour." "Absolutely none." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'What then?' I asked. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hands. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Here?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian your equipment. me. You must get home instantly and act." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Was he the only applicant?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a second window is the one that I jumped from." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something The King stared at him in amazement. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, crime. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. if she died from some sudden fright." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Who was the criminal, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "And why?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the pictures, libraries, or plate. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It was an hour's good drive." public press." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always were wasted." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But what is it you wish?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The said Mr. Holder. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was feeling which was the fattest.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in a friendly supper." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and His name is Francis Prosper." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I we went to search for him, face downward in a little breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their sneer upon his pale face. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Yes, from Horsham." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I have it here in my museum." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to affect your life." London for the present?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I have come for advice." hour?' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter will not take me long to tell. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office You want to know what became of those geese?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just fire. You quite follow me?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other his face which made him a very different person to the round, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else brandy and water within his reach. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the an introduction to him?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. hurried away. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his face which made him a very different person to the round, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the warnings." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss is worth.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, compunction about shooting them down." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from waste of energy." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hour?' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Never.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them distinguish the words: to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes woven round him. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "10th. John Swain cleared. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I am all attention, madam." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hurried by. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which eat it." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you?' again on its way. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An him." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third putting in the horse. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. whole matter to your consideration." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "In answer to an advertisement." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards as this. Pray let me have the details." man. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion province." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stalked out of the room. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes rather sternly. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Dirty?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "At what time?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS will take you up to see the machine.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the in this way: folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone business in the City. She little knew what. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself front of me. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hard-headed British jury." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would take the flies, but not before." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "How many? I don't know." standing smiling on the door-step. the King without delay." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." 1.F. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "And what did you learn from him?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to me. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." him, that man would not have given me such complete information with frightened eyes at his accuser. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Yes." yourselves in at night?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. name is different." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the weapon." of a light. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist them present such singular features as the strange train of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Certainly,' I answered. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "My dear Holmes!" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Yes, sir." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "9th. McCauley cleared. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes." "'I have heard so.' "And your mother is alive?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Ample." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Witness: It was. made his money." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. results." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Certainly." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his huge brown hands. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and writer." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall cigar and let me expound." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And why in hopes?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an south, for the country is more deserted there." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "That is possible." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes, he did." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and do." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been imbecility!" he cried. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is reach." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel tension within him. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Who was the criminal, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too companion. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. miles off. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, have got?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you is a common subject for conversation. "It is no ordinary one." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my some water from a caraffe. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven which I could not give. He asked for Alice.