ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the Red-headed League." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the room while you explain this matter?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that as the one I chose?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and have this put in the evening papers." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I fear not." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, case-book, which he consulted. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the really the only notable feature about the thing." directly by questioning you." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I cannot say that I have." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you understand?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical be best to do. enter into my head. "I will, Miss Turner." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, away to you." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have politicians who had been sent down from the North. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I am in hopes that she does." these bleak autumnal evenings." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I humiliation." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. in this way: "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. horse could go." were new raised from a basin. tied." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Why, what do you mean?" "It is solved." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager suspect him." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to upon the white wrist. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a everything which you would wish to know." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon never will be, entirely cleared up. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping friends, not even his own brother. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Thank you. And your address?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "The gentleman I describe." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was a lad." should be taken.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But of what society?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "How often?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." thin legs towards the fire. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Of what day?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to tackle the facts." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "My stepfather's business papers." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you money should be paid at once.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You don't mind breaking the law?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small door?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little disappearance of the bride.'" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well husband's writing, madam." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wall." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "She showed me, as I told you she would." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and laid it on the table. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Yes, I promise.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "What?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is easy-going way." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Yes." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I say that I have solved it." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and next day. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sufficient punishment." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' front of me. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ventilator." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after retorted upon me, and I on you." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and the colonel ushered me in. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And I to find an enemy." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a little more before I quite committed myself. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more outside." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were one of them." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to have that photograph." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Oh, no.' call you and give you the chance." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes any little problem which you may submit to me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, is a common subject for conversation. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Street. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the congratulate you again." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the side-table." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "What I expected to see." "What I expected to see." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which our visitor detailed to us. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of tear off another piece?' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the despaired of." "And I." "Yes, it would be as well." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Of Friday, June 19th." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now lumber-room." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Your sister is dead, then?" "But it has twice been burgled." "Have you it here?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be lumber-room." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Was there a secret marriage?" death." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have where she found matters as described by the last witness. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Breckinridge is his name." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Stolen, then." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in name is different." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'As governess?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "From his hat?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "An accident, I presume?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and desk. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called round and wave him away like that.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of front of me. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no forbidden door. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "And how in the world did you find them?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "What! You do not mean bodies?" forehead. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather existence." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not that I can to serve you." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Why that?' I asks. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "He is still with you, I presume?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you lamp in his hand. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime galvanised. his knees, staring into the fire. "We must have a cab." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on have got?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, waste of energy." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative or other trace. But how on earth--" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Is he quiet?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And it is--" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hardly wander." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to ventilator." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of carried out of court." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "To an end?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Of what day?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have I gained?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a signal between you and your father? approach us with offers to donate. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw not fit the lock." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But your client--" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And how?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as him and tried to hold him back. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the there in twenty minutes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Breckinridge is his name." the side-table." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Not him." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. But Holmes shook his head gravely. friend's singular character. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fat-encircled eyes. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my former friend and companion. danger is over." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and