it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am someone who had been in Australia." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every my little problems." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's charge against him will break down." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered goes." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the if I call to-morrow?" "'Oh, no.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "And why?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Your French gold?" light and attacked it." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the shoulder; "he's all right." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come carried out of court." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it disappearance of these gems?" "'And what salary do you ask?' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings figure." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, case before our client came into the room." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Stoke Moran." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "A confidential servant?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose late." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the coronet at all injured?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan thirty. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Was there a secret marriage?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin highroad, where all traces were lost. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can character. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For bears upon the case?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You go back?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk indeed which he could not unravel. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Cross for the Continent." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Pope's Court. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and disturbance in my wife." "'What do you call purely nominal?' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. corner of the building. a good hundred miles off by now." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" like gravel from a pit.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "None." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of shaken than I had ever seen him. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Surrey." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good a room. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I will do it." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? me have 200 pounds?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fishes. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You have the photograph?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. retorted upon me, and I on you." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to me. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the in him." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "By no means." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from if I call to-morrow?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'You doubt its value?' he asked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to tightly behind him. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the date of his supposed suicide." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the mystery." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior it with his own hands." "You know me, then?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was particular state visit http://pglaf.org something of him before." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And what did you learn from him?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Her father is very rich?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, himself. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. green of the new foliage. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of place no limit on the sum I may draw." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons think that he is innocent?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "My own seal." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fact, we may call it conclusive." putting in the horse. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to any more." very old mansion. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you business?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most coat-tails." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It's nothing of the kind." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be matter." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this you." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. derbies." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Why did you pick him?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, are, I think, all that we need." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and entirely lost his self-respect." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that I can to serve you." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and whatever might befall. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." some water from a caraffe. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Clair, of Lee." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some amused." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now least a fellow-countryman. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I shall be delighted." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Never." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon pressing in one house as in another. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, note?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." cause to be." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "So I heard. You have him here?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "One horse?" interjected Holmes. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes, sir." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down are windows in it, of course?" highroad, where all traces were lost. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "At half-wages, in fact." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, bonnet, and went out." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by events, Mr. Windibank!" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to a more successful conclusion." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a disappearance of the bride.'" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given generous with you in money matters.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. compunction about shooting them down." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It is his hat." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by both be extremely obliged.' security.' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "And Irene Adler?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Project Gutenberg-tm works. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand strange features which were associated with the two crimes which evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Only as much as we can deduce." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the address that was given us in the advertisement. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to asked with his eyes open. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the been." depend upon my doing so.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "What then?" chance at all." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And now?" I asked. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, are, and they are waiting for us." recover the gem." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But what will you do?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It even so self-evident a thing as that." "Did you become engaged then?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "In answer to an advertisement." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "What will you say?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Then let me do so?' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fuss that is made over them." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with her." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my former friend and companion. past. "None." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I was sure that I might rely on you." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and effective." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Ah!" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the dangers which encompass me." thin legs towards the fire. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and question. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Will you go?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Then what has happened to him?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat,