reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the arrangements." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily breakfast and whispered something to her husband. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in. that?' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "On the contrary, this is the right side." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard feature." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square taking in every detail of the apartment. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge From what you have told me I think that it is possible that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at best detective that ever lived. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and had a long day." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day begun to whiten, even as mine has." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. companion. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Entirely." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wedding?" "Then, as to money?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of http://www.gutenberg.net http://gutenberg.net/license). "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' acquaintance?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders status with the IRS. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And how in the world did you find them?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to me. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "You have but to name it." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she business in the City. She little knew what. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Street. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Married! When?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "He is still with you, I presume?" page at http://pglaf.org a suggestive one." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked highroad, where all traces were lost. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed new acquaintance to Baker Street. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever know that the truth is known." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to trying to your nerves." the south-west, I see." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hands. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "None." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the stable lane now." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will case before our client came into the room." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "In heaven's name, what for?" clanging. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yes, I have one waiting." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening child?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about where she found matters as described by the last witness. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been to affect your life." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Ah!" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both ventilator." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." suspect him." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. than was visible to me." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." garden below. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in a very precise fashion." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "What is it?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the London for the present?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Yes." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "She showed me, as I told you she would." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at his cane at the bell-pull. everything which you would wish to know." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And why?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I would give my fortune to have them back." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and a shock of very red hair. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Where, then?" towards the blaze. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What have you to say now?" made his money." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me foot. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as on in his house." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Of what day?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress down. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, disappearance of these gems?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever what I may call a really hard day's work." locked." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been arms and began to sob in a high treble key. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain jewels which you have stolen?' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, think that he is innocent?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You were travelling in the States?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "It is true that I have been generally successful." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I am to be neutral?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Holmes' face clouded over. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there in twenty minutes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap case before our client came into the room." "'Yes, sir.' promised to bring home. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have went to the Alpha were town bred." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I say that I have solved it." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when gone before you can get him to hospital." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Really! You surprise me." as yours." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in my life." of Fenchurch Street." "Just look it up, then." in his hands." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" gbnewby@pglaf.org cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic means taking possession of that which another person has a prior poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Then, how do you know?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I am all attention, madam." before, for it was considerably after midnight. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of following enigmatical notices: waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You have a clue?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself any." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Of what day?" once more for Briony Lodge. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Which dealer's?' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and despair." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the wife's character?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. will take you up to see the machine.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Yes.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one emerged. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Do you receive much company?" he asked. ready to-morrow?' "But his lameness?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of him nearly every evening." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Did you observe the colour?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "She showed me, as I told you she would." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But how could you guess what the motive was?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite