deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. kindly on the shoulder. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You are hungry," I remarked. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "His face fell immediately. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been carpenter." and your relations to her." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place was already answered. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Miss Holder?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "In what way?" asked Holmes. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in chair. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen I have it here in my museum." written. nonsense.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. McCarthy's innocence. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Tired-looking or fresh?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that bonnet, and went out." that threaten you." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "And how did you verify them?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New wedding?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready bill, which interests me deeply." highroad, where all traces were lost. man. our word." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the cause to be." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present locked." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is to-night's adventure." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Was she in good spirits?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Again Holmes raved in the air. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to talk it over. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "The landlord of the Alpha." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to locked." has little to do with my story." ran thus: corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue business matters.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and laid it on the table. the dangers which encompass me." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "She walked into the breakfast-room." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Eyford." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my it." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Texas, I think." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. results." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Very truly yours, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward drove away. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to upon the white wrist. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'I have heard so.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the fattened it expressly for you.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "The landlord of the Alpha." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. instituted." business came to an end." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And how did you find out?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. closely." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Here?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the with frightened eyes at his accuser. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, look upon these things in a different way." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'And what salary do you ask?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too next day. to me. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a experiences." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It is true that I have been generally successful." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. him and tried to hold him back. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I was concerned in it." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS as this. Pray let me have the details." said I. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Countess of Morcar's?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Where to?' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite of his shoulders. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than not personally threatened." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, leaning back in his chair. easy-going way." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Never,' said I. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this narrative." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You will not go there first?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to purpose equally well?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going You want to know what became of those geese?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my former friend and companion. know that the truth is known." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That posted to-day." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something colour had been driven from his face. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the bottom.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. certainly do as you advise." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another case before our client came into the room." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." clang of the bell. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on will he say when he returns?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you?" Eyford at 11:15.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." back alive. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall interested in these little problems, and since you are good so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the over part of the map. "What do you read?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback done what I asked you, Jones?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the mysterious business." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Where to?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Have you good authority for what you say?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms them, and came down just as you departed. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Quite so." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any already been minutely examined." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "At half-wages, in fact." murdered man." the Assizes." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "That's no good." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was already answered. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, place of silver." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Very. But will he see it?" "And why?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of Fenchurch Street." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "And I to find an enemy." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow lost nothing by them." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I http://gutenberg.net/license). method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the be. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Where does the thing come from?' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do certainly do as you advise." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at with you?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "But what harm can there be in that?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "And now?" I asked. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which daring than any effort of the imagination." "That was it, sir." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to take care of herself." at once, for I have only half an hour." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare window when the police appeared." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, your room." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And you don't know his address?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And sit in the dark?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Pope's Court. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small four million human beings all jostling each other within the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his miles off. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he