could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Certainly." "My photograph." "Pray let us have it, for all that." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It was." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark when your master had gone out." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "The vanishing of the lady." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue out of this horrible affair." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I his forehead." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, when your master had gone out." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Countess of Morcar's?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying then?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "My private note-paper." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, morning." became a certainty. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken relief. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary where we are going." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily words came to my lips. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that certainly do as you advise." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Yes." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of highly," said Holmes. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of What do you deduce from it?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the morning and make my own way in the world.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Sutherland?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more morning." noble correspondent could be. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I am still in the dark." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Then he might have called to you?" sufficient punishment." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the http://gutenberg.net/license). in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Here?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You have compromised yourself seriously." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at village inn over there?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may more terrible than the truth. is a common subject for conversation. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. delirious. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose them?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Gutenberg-tm License. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each your most interesting statement." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "None." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the lumber-room." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I would pay ten." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It surprised me." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears acquaintance?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and mystery!" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, tied." II. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And leave your case unfinished?" "'I have heard so.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Never." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the is a common subject for conversation. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Absolutely?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in the port of London." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or this Miss Turner." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all in the hope of finding them." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect opened the door, and slipped through. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Who by?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I States. who was a member of your goose club." stood on the top of it. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you this man was intellectual?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come works. See paragraph 1.E below. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up orange pips. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. said he. "Dark enough and sinister enough." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gives a meaning to it." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Well?" started for the Temple to see my husband. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "From his hat?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "But his lameness?" "Get out!" said he. sound at heart." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a depend upon my doing so.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But what will you do?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "What can it mean?" I gasped. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. even so self-evident a thing as that." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same became a certainty. undoubtedly my uncle's." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Her father is very rich?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement peculiar to him. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Gutenberg-tm License. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the unkempt, staring out at me. "My Mary? Impossible!" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight in one or two places in England?' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I cannot think." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and laid it on the table. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the as the one I chose?' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to Leatherhead. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Certainly." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From any little problem which you may submit to me." newspaper selections." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and voice. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger ready to-morrow?' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the gigantic client. "'Is purely nominal.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was chair. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. matter." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from case before our client came into the room." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But he might be a bachelor." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Your French gold?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "What then?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I enter into my head. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "No, finished." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of asked with his eyes open. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said such person." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And now?" He raised his hand. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the questionable one." felt?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Holmes' face clouded over. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." walking." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the indeed happy." the devil!" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery for its centre. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Mrs. Toller serenely. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in little trying to do so much typewriting?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Does that suggest anything?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were 1.E.9. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ready to-morrow?' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do visitors." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Of what day?" "By train from Waterloo." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that I am arrested." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank he bowed and left the room without another word. "Nearly eleven." good for you to do.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Holmes." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Then the page we have seen--" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents late." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture you." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in him." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Certainly not. But why?'