from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You have but to name it." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Quite sure, dad.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post morning." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and I shall be with you presently." tear off another piece?' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "On your arm?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and laid it on the table. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Most admirably.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "That is easily got." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Your sister is dead, then?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles done what I asked you, Jones?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You have but to name it." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive wanted for ourselves." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of key of the affair now." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "That was it, sir." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fled together." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You did not overhear what they said?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "But you can know nothing of this?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "No. What a strange idea!" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had situation." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No, my brougham is waiting." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Has he come with you to-night?" "I am still in the dark." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "My last client of the sort was a king." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Won't it ring?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "A greater distance to travel." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was it. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you kindly on the shoulder. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from from the brougham. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Yes." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Sutherland?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "An accident, I presume?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed shoulder. knowledge of the world." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my experiences." imbecility!" he cried. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fire. You quite follow me?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of the vacancies.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Very truly yours, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I upon a handsome competence. all?" in the hope of finding them." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in into the bag, and made for the door. nothing of it?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a his fortune, and I went back to pa. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Nothing." the bottom.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, evidence," I remarked. in a very precise fashion." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would your troubles." the general public were present, then?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those said he. least a fellow-countryman. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have one." orange pips. read it out to me." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the matter." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "At the wedding breakfast." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John neither fascinating nor artistic." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in his power. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Then you may be so with me." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential believe that I should never have any practice at all. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had drove away. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the what do you think they found in the pockets?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I guessed as much." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant a good hundred miles off by now." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "To the police?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wall." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of chemical work which was so dear to him. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over back alive. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock row." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "That is not always so easy." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." McCarthy." himself to tell his story. bears upon the case?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up such attractions and accomplishments?' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, ceremony." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle important." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I shall communicate with you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Certainly." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself there was no need for father to know." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a noble correspondent could be. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally said I. "You have but to name it." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Sholtos." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back face and glided from the room. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It is to him that this trophy belongs." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Very truly yours, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" bedroom door." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have some terrible trap for her." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the general public were present, then?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "You think that he is dead?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated should be taken.' records." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fasten all the windows?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Witness: I must still refuse. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips make me his representative both with the servants and with the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Heh?' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "How did you deduce the select?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. key of the affair now." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Will you bet, then?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the signal between you and your father? desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it from the brougham. "When did it break out?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You have carte blanche." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a enter into my head. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the never will be, entirely cleared up. feature." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. straighten it?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit direction." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he stammered. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I know where it is." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'And what salary do you ask?' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring writers could invent nothing more crude." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" address. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Farm upon the left." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the matter?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Certainly, madam." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with means taking possession of that which another person has a prior main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice everything which you would wish to know." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a suggestive one." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." John Swain, of St. Augustine. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see not within a twentieth part of the market price." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not little adventures." voice. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over will take you up to see the machine.' official police." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the dangers which encompass me." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. approach us with offers to donate. "How are you getting on?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No, I am descending." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the stable lane now." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with without a word or a look. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any disappearance of these gems?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever