glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing your troubles." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. possible that we could bring him back to her? take the flies, but not before." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have enter Dr. Roylott's room." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Your sister is dead, then?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, there in twenty minutes." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might death." hurried by. it were putty." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'What, the red-headed man?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you direction." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches is a common subject for conversation. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in peculiar to him. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Yes, it was twisted." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the remarked. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And Irene Adler?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face been shamefully used." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I through." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "An accident, I presume?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by little adventures." think, you have already met." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and his face which made him a very different person to the round, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Is he quiet?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "They are typewritten," I remarked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when been able to understand it, in a very few words. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had had this final quarrel? "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "If so, much may have happened between." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front delighted to hear it," he said. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to were unconscious?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few served to weaken the effect. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass tied." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and it need not interfere very much with one's other highly," said Holmes. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts shaken than I had ever seen him. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. been shamefully used." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Then, how do you know?" "You think so, too?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and a shock of very red hair. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Of Friday, June 19th." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of the vacancies.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the coronet at all injured?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Did you observe the colour?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would directors have had misgivings upon the subject." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish behind me. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "The murder was done with it." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our already been minutely examined." John Swain, of St. Augustine. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg distance from the station, and there we found the young lady multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Which are?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of some terrible trap for her." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and effective." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'What do you call purely nominal?' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone unclasping of his long thin hands. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Breckinridge is his name." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years DAMAGE. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your started for the Temple to see my husband. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm present." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, words came to my lips. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever call for it in person on Monday morning.' dear old homesteads?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out when your master had gone out." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the secret." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Yes, I have one waiting." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them indiscretion." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be 1.E.9. wedding?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Why did you beat the pavement?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all taking in every detail of the apartment. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that you saw all that I did." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the one as in the other." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." night.' said he. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "And you don't know his address?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "But you can know nothing of this?" happened." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But his lameness?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story DAMAGE. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of words came to my lips. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it." assist you in forming an opinion." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have had none more fantastic than this." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding him and tried to hold him back. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few upon the shelf for the interim." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "BALLARAT." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all unkempt, staring out at me. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the child." like gravel from a pit.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Very murderous indeed." "Have you it here?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." official police." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Doctor, of the paper and the date." a good hundred miles off by now." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some The events in question occurred in the early days of my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his narrative." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Countess of Morcar's?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some is now desirous of getting those letters back." more terrible than the truth. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And the cigar-holder?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Yes, I promise.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. empty. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, him." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the whether it answered to the description of any of their "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to directors, with the result that you have seen." "Witness: I must still refuse. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story You can understand that this register and diary may implicate When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. never to learn it at all." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch relief. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'And what are they worth?' I asked. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." out." himself to tell his story. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Of what day?" me where it went to?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Certainly." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "But we can't all be."