"Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And for present expenses?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the one as in the other." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the through." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "We were both in the photograph." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I promise," said Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "None." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to-morrow." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now putting in the horse. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What then?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Young McCarthy must be got off, however." your bag." closing the door. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last which was all perfectly true. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I don't believe it." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You investigation." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And how did he make his money?" 'please.'" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in acquaintance?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'Ten to two.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King salesman. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the upon the shelf for the interim." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to some other building. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dead, shall be safe with us." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend only touch the interest." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Then, how do you know?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Yes?" than to us. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." thought that she would have been so carried away." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "So it appears." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the plantation.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid what these perils are?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sake, don't!" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You have compromised yourself seriously." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And that is--" questioning and rather startled gaze. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Very much so." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Pray do so." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you fact, we may call it conclusive." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was shining brightly. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more burst out into a roar of laughter. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and shall probably return to London by the evening train." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in already referred to. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. room. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And when will you call?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "ARAT," I read. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. 11:15.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." carpenter." never will be, entirely cleared up. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and your relations to her." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." disappearance of these gems?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! His smile broadened. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The distance from the station, and there we found the young lady myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. showing my impatience. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of them has the shutters up.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Not in the least." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The Coroner: What do you mean? as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "It is very clear." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Where could I find him?' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Quite so." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "No, finished." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I tightly behind him. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Do you know him?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands only touch the interest." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that I am arrested." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "What?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Then how many are there?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "How are you getting on?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Certainly." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss asked. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening compunction about shooting them down." unkempt, staring out at me. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "At the wedding breakfast." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I guessed as much." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Thank you. And your address?" "Frequently." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that might help us?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is cigars in the box." the station." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "That is unusual in a young girl." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture nonsense.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." walking." "'I have already given you my word.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Here?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, lumber-room." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I was afraid that you were engaged." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As outsides of the windows. "Ample." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Cross for the Continent." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the outside." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'And the work?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the security.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and wait." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to affect your life." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted have an American origin." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I should like to see him very much." just ask you whether you had heard it.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'I am sure that I do not know.' you, my dear young lady?' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change said Mr. Holder. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then he might have called to you?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, call it cruel." you." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detained." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? when your master had gone out." and the colonel ushered me in. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without sparkled upon his finger. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be bachelor.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked way: owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And that is--" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hurried by. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was once confined in the cab my mission was practically with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy McCarthy's innocence. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Your sister is dead, then?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lost nothing by them." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a cost them two and thirty pounds." hurried by. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'Never,' said I. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hand, madam?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a over with notes and figures. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite recover the gem." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "The best possible." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am his face. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "And leave your case unfinished?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" opportunities to fix the problem. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled pound a week." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about words came to my lips. "Bought." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to discontent upon his features. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I During two years I have had three consultations and one small an introduction to him?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales place, I think that there is good ground to think that the someone who had been in Australia." "Perfectly so." like gravel from a pit.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution discontent upon his features. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar begun to whiten, even as mine has." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally see a sister of mine apply for." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and