be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough might help us?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life he died? bird of prey. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "None. Neville wrote those words." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us flock.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Then I can wait in the next room." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "ARAT," I read. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Street. observed. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "How did you deduce the select?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted be best to do. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The murder was done with it." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. my former friend and companion. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at wife's character?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But how did you gain them?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fatally injured? pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, yes, easily." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That was it, sir." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you me. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the driver. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the coronet at all injured?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the affair. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Nothing." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "No, I had a dozen." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "But how did you gain them?" status with the IRS. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This about. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Will you go?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. been deceived." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." it were putty." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Henry Baker is a member." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and arrested. You then--" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Stolen." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of Fenchurch Street." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are soul! here is her carriage at the door." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. know all about it," he snarled. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed new duties?' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Foundation "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, assist you in forming an opinion." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out always that they were such commands as a lady might with Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case ashen face. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You have a clue?" case before our client came into the room." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who green of the new foliage. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "No." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four it. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock girl said." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is companion. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the straighten it?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who a monotonous occupation." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." fear." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then you may entirely rely on me." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I came to find a friend." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the general public were present, then?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us if I call to-morrow?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes." Holmes." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Have you her photograph?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who back into the street. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his forehead." may have an influence upon European history." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a little more before I quite committed myself. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in occupations.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small whereabouts. only touch the interest." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of Fenchurch Street." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. touch that coronet?' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But it has twice been burgled." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I may never be exposed to such a temptation." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "May I see it?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. was already answered. flock.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "You saw the ventilator, too?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. developed." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently round with crates and massive boxes. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you anything to do with the matter?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "How many? I don't know." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You saw the ventilator, too?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Certainly." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been clang of the bell. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight respectable self." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Of what?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and more terrible than the truth. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are tell me that you intended to go into harness." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, him, that man would not have given me such complete information kindly on the shoulder. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful row." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "It was an hour's good drive." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in a friendly supper." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey You can understand that this register and diary may implicate We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. becomes even more simple." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the only touch the interest." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But you were on a friendly footing?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hopeless attempt at recovering them." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the photograph?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have established a very serious case against the son of the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it him and tried to hold him back. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and all of them with the keenest interest. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "At what time?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the stable lane now." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And you thought he was pulled back?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "What then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both chemical work which was so dear to him. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yes." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could joking. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our observed. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the bed, and you in that chair." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and looked back. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my