wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we easy-going way." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it suspect him." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And the murderer?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said row." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not despaired of." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the occupations.' obstinate." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she His name is Francis Prosper." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' is a common subject for conversation. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important said he, "my real name is James Ryder." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. guilty one." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another hurried away. him." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" chance." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and gbnewby@pglaf.org set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on During two years I have had three consultations and one small I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of his shoulders. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been some terrible trap for her." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But how did you gain them?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose manager. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What! You do not mean bodies?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. vanished into the darkness. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the ordinary clothes on?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside now. It seems that there had been some informality about their struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What will you do, then?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "My Mary? Impossible!" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." papers diligently of late, have you not?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some be.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to that open window." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I don't say that. Perhaps." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer these bleak autumnal evenings." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "To ruin me." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Henry Baker is a member." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of receipt of the work. "Your French gold?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save during that time.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Henry Baker is a member." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the loss of it. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Your presence might be invaluable." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Farm upon the left." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Here?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Your French gold?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we had this final quarrel? "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind some city in a dream. grasp, he hurried from the room. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, McCarthy." awkward doing business with an alias." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "You were travelling in the States?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Was the window open?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of people don't know." the nursery. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for weary and pale-looking. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pictures, libraries, or plate. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable confronted him. "'How far from the body?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." six. Come in!" and have this put in the evening papers." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch learned something! Where are the gems?" there was no need for father to know." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have companion imperturbably. who was a member of your goose club." "None." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then in him." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "At half-wages, in fact." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way results." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the loss of it. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without discontent upon his features. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I will get her to show me." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And how did he make his money?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. giving me time to thank him. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross which our visitor detailed to us. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Eyford at 11:15.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard tapping his fingers upon the table. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two intimate personal affairs in this public manner." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be like that before?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such business." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn brandy and water within his reach. through." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing lumber-room." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Quite so. She has her freedom." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I fear not." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "None." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the back alive. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "What!" he roared. of the vacancies.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his writer." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke promised to bring home. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." will take you up to see the machine.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I cannot think." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" mystery!" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "At what time?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." your sleep?' "He said that you could solve anything." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry bonnet, and went out." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "What are they?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I has little to do with my story." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his think, you have already met." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a next day. chill to my heart. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the Assizes." Heh?' "Never." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that the gas is not laid on in his house?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature The telegram which we eventually received came late one night companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You don't mind breaking the law?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an humiliation." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Why? What do you mean?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons not, dad?" she asked. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy washing it down with a long draught of water. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "That is easily got." may never be exposed to such a temptation." all?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of over with notes and figures. remarked. "That also I could fathom." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Watson," he said cordially. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "In which, sir?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes, all." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" matters immensely." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it were putty." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Foundation "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "My dear Holmes!" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Then you may be so with me." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It train.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "They are typewritten," I remarked. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked front of me. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything place no limit on the sum I may draw." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" on re-entering her father's house?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too a very grave face. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "If so, much may have happened between." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It is possible." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that you can jump it.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened for the market.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the