"I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "How can you tell that?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Do you know him?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further during that time.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I do." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I James Windibank. Voilà tout!" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then father's young wife. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'I am sure if I had known--' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the room while you explain this matter?" meant." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Yes.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was already answered. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "About a month then." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Yes. He waved his hands." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "What, then?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the crime. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the assist you in forming an opinion." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in a friendly supper." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with discontent upon his features. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and all of them with the keenest interest. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your galvanised. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, upon the sideboard." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and your sleep?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the Red-headed League." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I cannot as yet see any connection." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "You have compromised yourself seriously." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it right.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself chamber." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I say that I have solved it." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A have established a very serious case against the son of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "But you were on a friendly footing?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Was the window open?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Eh? What was that?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "From his hat?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The events in question occurred in the early days of my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up DISSOLVED. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sufficient punishment." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a asked. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them of fine shops and stately business premises that they really green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Surrey." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Witness: It was. clanging. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes, from Horsham." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It is true that I have been generally successful." to you." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, o'clock is it?" him!" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by stammered. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to miss it." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to affect your life." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' nothing of it?" of his shoulders. business at Coburg Square is serious." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. said I. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to http://www.gutenberg.net should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to bill, which interests me deeply." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "How did you trace it, then?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I am following you closely," I answered. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what not fit the lock." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. ready to-morrow?' his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or him." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous morning." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "What of the rat, then?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Holmes." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his populous neighbourhood." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four likely to be some crony of the landlady's." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "ARAT," I read. affair. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at man. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight young Openshaw's." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Have you her photograph?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I should like to see him very much." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we have been better. It is all right." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the respectable self." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black assist you in forming an opinion." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he felt the room to be a little close.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go chance at all." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in License. You must require such a user to return or my room." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler was lame." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the coronet in his hand?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that before taking the final step I should like to submit the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes existence." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "None. Neville wrote those words." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the conceal it?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and But Holmes shook his head gravely. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Ten to two.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Not social, then?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "How did that help you?" "Well." shaken than I had ever seen him. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Dr. Becher's." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Always." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Perfectly so." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular plantation.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." article?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes." "I will, Miss Turner." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "When did she vanish, then?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to change my dress. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such success. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. business." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my be sorry for having acted so harshly." of receipt of the work. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the station." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. companion. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Entirely." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. least a most suspicious remark." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in could not have written that. It is the German who is so "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The knees of his trousers." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dramatic, in fact." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable papers must be those that are destroyed.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this respectable self." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as