you in yours." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must be. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at fattened it expressly for you.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Who by?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each question you as to those details which seem to me to be most sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the matter." minor matters until to-morrow." that threaten you." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, British peeress.'" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my them present such singular features as the strange train of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the said he. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions strength in the others." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would could not have written that. It is the German who is so by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes bed dies. Does not that strike you?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "No." "About a month then." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes, I have one waiting." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At away in different directions, and I went off to make my own I leave." if only as a check to my own memory." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the believe that I should never have any practice at all. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" be.' if she died from some sudden fright." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no business?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I cannot imagine." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But his lameness?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But I am all in the dark." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the acquaintance?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Where did you address your letters, then?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then views." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, cigars in the box." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the coronet in his hand?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has morning." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the your Highness to the police-station?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, yes, easily." most interesting one." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a habit of advancing money.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Is he quiet?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a it. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Lee, in the county of Kent." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Of Friday, June 19th." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bill, which interests me deeply." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And your mother is alive?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "The knees of his trousers." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I had a long day." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I think that I could be of assistance to you." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Yes, I have one waiting." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was locked." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet detective. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the coronet in his hand?" the inner apartment." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I beg pardon." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, undoubtedly my uncle's." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Yes, sir." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I cannot tell." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that upon the shelf for the interim." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "What can it mean?" I gasped. night.' said he. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his room had already been engaged for us. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Always." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, visitors." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ashen face. "And from a noble client?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel but preventing her from injuring another. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most me where it went to?" "Was there a secret marriage?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is no ordinary one." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you?' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Miss Holder?" from the brougham. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to detained." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project some terrible trap for her." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is so. I know all about McCarthy." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them upon a handsome competence. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a past. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "And what did you learn from him?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I was mad--insane." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the which was all perfectly true. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I held the little printed slip to the light. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes." McCarthy." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers nothing of it?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which it had come upon my father." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "On Monday." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have here and I will read it to you: suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shoulder. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of towards the blaze. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'What, the red-headed man?' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." prison!" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found here and I will read it to you: jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my strength of mind to control. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are through." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. fire. You quite follow me?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of receipt of the work. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But how?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes, he did." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. go--none." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet him to be an active member of the medical profession." best detective that ever lived. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "But it has twice been burgled." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. there." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which of Mr. Rucastle's." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" back into the street. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or in my life." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'Certainly not.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my suspect him." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Mary, has deserted me." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "My Mary? Impossible!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us your sleep?' o'clock is it?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem forbidden door. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for annoyance, but no jest. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said yards of it?' one which it was hard to resist. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The vanishing of the lady." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which rat could hardly pass through." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "At the wedding breakfast." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Serpentine Avenue. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at relation between them, and what the object of his repeated know what is wrong with it.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "How do you know, then?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened affair. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the driver. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "But to whom?"