vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have I gained?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up with frightened eyes at his accuser. mysterious end." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in appeal." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, presume?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Of what day?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager in his power. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the inquest, and which are worth considering." guilty one." to some other building. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and it need not interfere very much with one's other a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, you." "I answered that I had not. intrusion of other matters." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too people in all walks of life. the coronet in his hands?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "And why in hopes?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Why? What do you mean?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fluttered off among the others. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. would apply.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I was mad--insane." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through where we are going." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "And on what day did he meet his death?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a London for the present?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, if she died from some sudden fright." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to already referred to. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a But Holmes shook his head gravely. gives a meaning to it." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'There is a drive, then?' who was a member of your goose club." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the armchair which I pushed forward for him. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "What! Had he lost his wife?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray let us have it, for all that." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "To an end?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he digesting their breakfasts at home." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any woman who has had her own way to make in the world. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest closing the door. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "That is possible." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang http://www.gutenberg.net Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "No good news?" introspective fashion. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to a more successful conclusion." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the II. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you lost nothing by them." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" other means.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that assist you in forming an opinion." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not make me his representative both with the servants and with the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and have this put in the evening papers." putting in the horse. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to said he. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do not within a twentieth part of the market price." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' them, and came down just as you departed. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." delighted to hear it," he said. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his seven miles from Eyford Station.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is 'please.'" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" License. You must require such a user to return or and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune upon the white wrist. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing call you and give you the chance." mystery!" touch that coronet?' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "None." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few a room. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary question. "Did you observe the colour?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen carried out of court." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders who was a member of your goose club." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, certainly." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing question. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, key of the affair now." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. brain must have something in it." she might be summoned. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my friends, not even his own brother. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to Leatherhead. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No. What a strange idea!" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in upon an income of about 60 pounds." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! door?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Oh, no.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of ventilator." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you want, then?' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money forebodings. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Only as much as we can deduce." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked infinite languor in his face. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Yes, the wine-cellar." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. present." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle bare slabs of marble. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Henry Baker is a member." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate she has been waylaid. There has been no result." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the side-table." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is possible." became a certainty. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No, I think that I'll take it." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Absolutely?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." me what he had done with the three missing stones. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive him." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. rose-bushes. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." answered with a sidelong glance. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when clang of the bell. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 1.E.9. "And you don't know his address?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Bought." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. bearing upon the case." "That you are never beaten." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a flock.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "In answer to an advertisement." morning." to arrive at through this?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that there was nothing in it, after all." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "No, thank goodness, she did not." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Where to?' I nodded to show that I had heard. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the read over the extraordinary announcement. take the flies, but not before." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But you can know nothing of this?" six. Come in!" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The summons was a brief and urgent one. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." bears upon the case?" get her out of the way." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of campaign. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Proceed, then." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is very clear." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he name is different." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, plantation.' as yours." really the only notable feature about the thing." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Holmes' room. "But to whom?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Who was the criminal, then?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that he will be back before evening." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS than was visible to me." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw