been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to miss it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fasten all the windows?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a name is different." way in everything. "'What then?' I asked. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my then?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both are, I think, all that we need." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Thank you. And your address?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar is a common subject for conversation. "No." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I written. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving laugh and put his lips to my ear. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I am not easy in my mind about them." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "And did you observe any change in her then?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can derbies." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It is his hat." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down business?" the coronet at all injured?" ashen face. that, and I came down." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "She told me to ask you." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It is true that I have been generally successful." straightened it out again. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes, certainly." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it late." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Certainly." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the over here." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the nice household for a young lady." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business believe that I should never have any practice at all. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face guilty parties." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could even of instruction." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and companion. call you and give you the chance." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Come in!" said Holmes. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ceremony." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique assist you in forming an opinion." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you understand?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Oh, the cause is excellent!" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What can it mean?" I gasped. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no over with notes and figures. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round gigantic client. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and the colonel ushered me in. think that any burglar could have done. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran chemical work which was so dear to him. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Where did he live, then?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is wife's character?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Indeed! Whose, then?" in. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Only as much as we can deduce." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the your sleep?' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a congenial hunt. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." furiously. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "The landlord of the Alpha." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You think so, too?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Surrey." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Farm upon the left." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Was the window open?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet together. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Heh?' one of the states of the Union." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had second." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' seem to you to be relevant or not." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read there is a decided draught." outside. "Holmes, the busybody!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were From what you have told me I think that it is possible that thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote upon the shelf for the interim." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a client, rising. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "To an English lawyer named Norton." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. ordinary clothes on?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." shall use the carriage to-night." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that place of silver." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You have carte blanche." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter have had none more fantastic than this." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I see no marks." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but advice." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Absolutely?" in. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in you?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is solved." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And from a noble client?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Here?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. some terrible trap for her." "'Stolen!' he cried. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. window when the police appeared." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and have accepted such a situation. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money posted to-day." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "But the mystery?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Nothing." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your conclusions. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself time." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old some water from a caraffe. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Holmes rather sternly. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce 11:15.' read over the extraordinary announcement. "How did that help you?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the absorbing." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them round with crates and massive boxes. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and name is different." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called already referred to. My friend smiled. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Could he throw no light?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "That's no good." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "By no means." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic know that the truth is known." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the nonsense.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I am not easy in my mind about them." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Yes." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Look there!" said he. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Street. a good hundred miles off by now." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the inner apartment." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying even so self-evident a thing as that." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "His face fell immediately. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Was she in good spirits?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Your presence might be invaluable." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. companion imperturbably. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It was." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of some water from a caraffe. "Your French gold?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of went to the Alpha were town bred." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I am all attention, madam." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss kind enough to tell me what I should do." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money bill, which interests me deeply." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was keenly on my guard against him. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most giving me time to thank him. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside happened." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." in this way: father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what in your London, you will know that the office of the company is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I shall be delighted." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was comes from the middle window." if only as a check to my own memory." which it had come upon my father." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the driver. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Entirely." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Could he throw no light?" humiliation." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK cause to be." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your careless servant girl?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." electronic works signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Not him." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the roots. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion swore that no one else had been in the front room during the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do tail." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back was lame." chill to my heart. true." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yesterday." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some