houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man even so self-evident a thing as that." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been main points of my analysis." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to-night's adventure." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. was not a bird to be seen there. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, envelope. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And what did you see?" "Entirely." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" directly by questioning you." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You did not overhear what they said?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Doctor, of the paper and the date." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Will you bet, then?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may get the tickets." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. better grown goose." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I reach." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I say it is." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Seven!" I answered. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, your co-operation." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "And what then?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "So I am. Very much so." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. cheerful." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "This photograph!" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have had none more fantastic than this." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "A client, then?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Is purely nominal.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Yes, all." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'And what are they worth?' I asked. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able handed it to him. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the date of his supposed suicide." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." were unconscious?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It's nothing of the kind." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what fishes. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Thank you. And your address?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden placed his cuttings. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where present." footfalls from the street. bonnet, and went out." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, good-night and bustled off upon her way. security.' gone. Holmes' thin, eager face. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I cannot think." the bottom.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fat-encircled eyes. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Tell me all about it,' said I. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door disappearance of the bride.'" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "In the cells." papers diligently of late, have you not?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when problems help me to do so." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by visitors." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of conceal it?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Never to return." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a very grave face. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined them?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Witness: I must still refuse. "We must have a cab." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the seven miles from Eyford Station.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, telegram would bring me down to your help." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. peculiar to him. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There strong reason behind." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which into the room. "'Yes, sir.' Leadenhall Street--and--" said I. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Literary Archive Foundation avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I shall communicate with you." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a had picked up in the wood. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Yesterday." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep there!' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it companion imperturbably. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to miles off. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' morning." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" putting in the horse. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, IS "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Pray do so." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Dirty?" friend's singular character. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." my former friend and companion. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent lumber-room." "'I shall certainly be there.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the room while you explain this matter?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have call it cruel." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "You saw the ventilator, too?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It must be recovered." lectures into a series of tales." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, clanging. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate which it had come upon my father." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the meant it for the best. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that following enigmatical notices: the tragedy. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as nice household for a young lady." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during he. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This handed it to him. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her it." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long fashion which was peculiar to him. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately again." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Not in a good cause." "I am all attention, madam." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and wait." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the tragedy. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "No. What a strange idea!" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able vague figure huddled up in the darkness. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But what is it you wish?" tear off another piece?' bled considerably." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which o'clock is it?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Was he the only applicant?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in a very precise fashion." and it need not interfere very much with one's other days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "None." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord new duties?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can money should be paid at once.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Not him." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Certainly,' I answered. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving said he. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No, finished." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Her father is very rich?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is come either from the window or the door. My attention was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an