the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There if I call to-morrow?" your Highness to the police-station?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of Mr. Rucastle's." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It missed him, then?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had crime." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual families. Now for the facts. experiences." enough to aid us in our search." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the so-precious time, but come!' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious remarked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" ourselves in the office." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be father's young wife. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the south-west, I see." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What do you mean?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It is very clear." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Frequently." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "On Monday." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Ample." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them populous neighbourhood." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and have this put in the evening papers." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Arthur Conan Doyle not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah such person." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I don't believe it." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, For additional contact information: client, rising. been shamefully used." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "No, distinctly professional." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Stolen!' he cried. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is keep the flames under. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the not come at once?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'About the same.' "I know where it is." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Stoke Moran." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. your bag." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked is now desirous of getting those letters back." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the recover the gem." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you give your casting vote to?" "The knees of his trousers." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in this way: before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Clair, of Lee." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Not yet." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope October 9, 1890. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to soul! here is her carriage at the door." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler hour?' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his cup of tea. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to-morrow." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. towards the blaze. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'About the same.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "What, then?" waste of energy." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which said he. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You heard nothing yourself last night?" morning." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by you understand?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fattened it expressly for you.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they for its centre. have accepted such a situation. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And himself to tell his story. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and you understand?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I very morning of my second wedding." "And the murderer?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a do you make of it all?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from followed. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian during that time.' What do you deduce from it?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Miss Holder?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I should wish to." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary on in his house." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried your own bird, so if you wish--" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have if only as a check to my own memory." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at time." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Nor running a chance of arrest?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the approach us with offers to donate. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Who was the criminal, then?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I have hopes." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob south, for the country is more deserted there." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It himself. always that they were such commands as a lady might with fluttered off among the others. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I know where it is." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, in darkness. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which him to be an active member of the medical profession." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is instituted." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Quite sure, dad.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again suddenly upon us." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the tragedy. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in call for it in person on Monday morning.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." letters?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "How can you tell that?" was it brought him the coronet? "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes, he did." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other is acting for the best. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I know where it is." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Ample." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "What is it, then--a fire?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But you were on a friendly footing?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the loss of it. "At what time?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "We were both in the photograph." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And did you observe any change in her then?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'What are you doing there?' he asked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Miss Holder?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "That is unusual in a young girl." prepare for the new role I have to play." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have as the one I chose?' there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes rather sternly. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more girl said." "My stepfather's business papers." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Then let me do so?' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'And the work?' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "But not more so than I to find you." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He means taking possession of that which another person has a prior naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting bore every mark of being an average commonplace British suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in a very grave face. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Never.' have got?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding emerged. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom morning." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already shaken than I had ever seen him. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "No more words. Get out!" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down waste of energy." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the unprecedented a position." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "BALLARAT." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Breckinridge is his name." up this clue while it is still hot." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has highroad, where all traces were lost. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I even so self-evident a thing as that." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and distinguish the words: any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I never will be, entirely cleared up. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'And the work?' "But you were on a friendly footing?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that salesman. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It surprised me." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." depend upon my doing so.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "A greater distance to travel." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately definite end. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' unprecedented a position." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though