hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "And it is--" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rooms." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." nonsense.' I shall communicate with you." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Very. But will he see it?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so you understand?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, one which it was hard to resist. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Never.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Yes." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who this Miss Turner." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my not as remarkable as your advertisement." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire persecution?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, did not hear it also.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes, it would be as well." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Quite sure, dad.' seem to you to be relevant or not." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, distinguish the words: after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Where to?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Nothing." "But his lameness?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "How did he come?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I say it is." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and little trying to do so much typewriting?" good for you to do.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend read over the extraordinary announcement. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of is acting for the best. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And why?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with frightened eyes at his accuser. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive better in every way that they should make their position a little returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Very much so." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to-morrow." "How can you tell that?" foot. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat once more for Briony Lodge. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen main points of my analysis." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Her father is very rich?" "What is it, then--a fire?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "In answer to an advertisement." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "My dear Holmes!" be there in time for your coming." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's is four-and-twenty." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'And the work?' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off status with the IRS. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." waste of energy." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Lee, in the county of Kent." "I will get her to show me." which are rolled in Rotterdam." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Never." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sooner or later she must fall a victim. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, despaired of." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the envelope. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. already been minutely examined." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, direction." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "My stepfather's business papers." "Eh? What was that?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Where to?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that you saw all that I did." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of prison!" your room." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I footfalls from the street. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then silent! Oh, he will be silent!' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the For additional contact information: come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, some hundreds of times." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But what will you do?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the tragedy. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" careless servant girl?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "None." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He disappeared so suddenly." and that he would see to anything that turned up. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the security.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal late!' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "A client, then?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "My dear Holmes!" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Stoke Moran." a suggestive one." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's not, dad?" she asked. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her His name is Francis Prosper." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO secret." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" thought that she would have been so carried away." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Perhaps we may make them less so." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his definite end. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "How are you getting on?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." you in your example." went to the Alpha were town bred." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all bonnet, and went out." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the electronic works the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I came to find a friend." words came to my lips. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pictures, libraries, or plate. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It is very clear." "Was he the only applicant?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the served to weaken the effect. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to putting in the horse. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the notes," he said. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, sir." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might it? Did I buy the geese off you?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Where to?' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was legal crime." him nearly every evening." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith into the bag, and made for the door. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the attention." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I was afraid that you were engaged." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in your London, you will know that the office of the company is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but over with notes and figures. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'And what are they worth?' I asked. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I one's self under obligations.' ceremony." and put his glass in his pocket. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he name is different." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, must be when I saw the door open.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss system of imprisonment?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. morning." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be