kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to returning from some small jollification and was making his way he bowed and left the room without another word. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Quite so." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all any little problem which you may submit to me." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Ah!" the nursery. and I shall be with you presently." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Entirely.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Is he quiet?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "What do you mean?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Arthur Conan Doyle the room while you explain this matter?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unkempt, staring out at me. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as opened the door, and slipped through. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I shall continue with my miserable story. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went look dissatisfied." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" coroner's jury." constraint." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the inquest, and which are worth considering." tightly behind him. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat you?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Breckinridge is his name." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "No, my brougham is waiting." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of Fenchurch Street." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is ordinary clothes on?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to wall." the night.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Dirty?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of investigation." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered affair. papers diligently of late, have you not?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give companion imperturbably. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that he will be back before evening." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'What do you call purely nominal?' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the night.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "None." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom it means?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate morning." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that you saw all that I did." in this way: I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered empty. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all children over to America with him, so that I found myself without word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Arthur Conan Doyle "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. persecution?" standing smiling on the door-step. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Won't it ring?" "But the mystery?" "He is dead," cried several voices. felt?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a look dissatisfied." "A greater distance to travel." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the devil!" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of the vacancies.' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the know that the truth is known." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said never to learn it at all." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "What are they?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very second." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole amused." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an charge against him will break down." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Then the page we have seen--" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I several quiet little villages up there." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced for securing the situation." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual minor matters until to-morrow." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of lamp in his hand. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Here?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar crackling voice. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well." tapping his fingers upon the table. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the house with me." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had this final quarrel? other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Where to?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first kind enough to tell me what I should do." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the coronet in his hand?" "Not yet." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it." have got?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "How did you trace it, then?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of kindly on the shoulder. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "You have carte blanche." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, long narrative. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fuss that is made over them." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes' face clouded over. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at beg that you will break it off." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot time." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It was an hour's good drive." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I have a cab outside." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her not personally threatened." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" charge against him will break down." and the whole place is in a blaze." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "ARAT," I read. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of matter over." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or I approached. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "What?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Can I be of assistance?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "But his lameness?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and that he would see to anything that turned up. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, child?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two noble correspondent could be. "Of what day?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "What! Had he lost his wife?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Witness: Nothing definite. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which morning." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. unprofitable." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who fish-monger and a tide-waiter." easy-going way." fasten all the windows?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You depend upon your compliance." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not keep the flames under. go back?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Always." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a guilty one." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Why did you beat the pavement?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to that open window." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help me, and I could not think that his explanation of the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you tassel actually lying upon the pillow. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, my room." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I cannot as yet see any connection." a monotonous occupation." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from out." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw chance at all." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that front of me. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He house for five minutes.' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the coronet in his hands?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Very good.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I took the paper from him and read as follows: both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You think so, too?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Certainly,' I answered. to miss it." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I cannot imagine." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother you give your casting vote to?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Dr. Becher's." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to have that photograph." bell. Holmes whistled. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," strong reason behind." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, said he. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That pressing in one house as in another. "What office?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I am following you closely," I answered. that you wished to speak to me?' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came introspective fashion. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "You will not go there first?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." spare." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated there has been an enclosure here!" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is said he. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then what these perils are?"