to surprise her." "Really! You surprise me." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small swore that no one else had been in the front room during the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while which we had just quitted. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, union?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ventilator." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the tied." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the driver. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "There is the writing." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying where we are going." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can delighted to hear it," he said. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'A dozen yards or so.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Yes." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But how?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since The King stared at him in amazement. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of instituted." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And that is--" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "By train from Waterloo." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; official police." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps soul! here is her carriage at the door." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "The King of Scandinavia." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "And is that all?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I reach." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It is possible." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I shall be delighted." you?' with some details as to your case." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it time." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to be.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Your sister is dead, then?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to wedding?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." morning." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes, at the mines." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Perfectly so." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You are hungry," I remarked. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused congenial hunt. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from might have a private word with us. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms when your master had gone out." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little forehead. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes, that is the Crown." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in or in danger--" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I soul! here is her carriage at the door." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and habit of advancing money.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; not interfere, come what may. You understand?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "None." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It must be recovered." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Oh, yes, easily." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but money should be paid at once.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very until night should bring an explanation. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, anything to do with the matter?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." outsides of the windows. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His sofa. This way, please!" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at strong and stiff." some terrible trap for her." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent or other trace. But how on earth--" said I. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fuss that is made over them." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands even of instruction." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that my little problems." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Nothing." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the very morning of the wedding." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What have you done?" asked Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Surrey." she to prove their authenticity?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he important." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be do you make of it all?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was 1.F. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and one's self under obligations.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It came here." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting is worth.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'Then let me do so?' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you came in." morning." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I guessed as much." "One of his hands." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking letters?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I will not look." man. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and all of them with the keenest interest. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never woman." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, done what I asked you, Jones?" of a light. "You have a clue?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as yours." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thought that she would have been so carried away." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I beg pardon." fled together." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I don't say that. Perhaps." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Bought." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? comes from the middle window." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I should be immensely obliged to you." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I think that I could be of assistance to you." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man way in." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched nice household for a young lady." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a promised to bring home. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "No." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has rooms." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Will you bet, then?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about appointment with me for six o'clock?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Street. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I one of them." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's all that?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave were new raised from a basin. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a late." "But what harm can there be in that?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign assist you in forming an opinion." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the bottom.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Here?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Not him." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Mary, has deserted me." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." address. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down point in the dark hollow of his hand. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You are hungry," I remarked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no very morning of my second wedding." interested in these little problems, and since you are good The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Ample.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss which it had come upon my father." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I will try. What is it?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an