His name is Francis Prosper." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some delighted to hear it," he said. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Then let me do so?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up business?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It must be recovered." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat suddenly upon us." "No, finished." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Cross for the Continent." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to side. into the bag, and made for the door. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her there has been an enclosure here!" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez your sleep?' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my character. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the were wasted." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack breakfast and whispered something to her husband. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a formed some opinion?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Was your sister dressed?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely all-comprehensive glances. to surprise her." spark where all is dark to me." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call back into the street. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Dirty?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you with you?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every chamber." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a character. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to you." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." your billet.' "It must be recovered." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Countess of Morcar's?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Of what day?" "One?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in are, and they are waiting for us." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which carriage. It was a chestnut." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end one else, I think." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety relief. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "So it appears." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler sooner or later she must fall a victim. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as constraint." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered open." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to not, dad?" she asked. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "None. Neville wrote those words." "Nothing." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was a lad." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria showing my impatience. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have established a very serious case against the son of the room had already been engaged for us. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The best possible." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall been anything against him. He had for years been known as a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' would apply.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of here." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to some other building. six. Come in!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I results." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one had a long day." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I am in hopes that she does." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they for securing the situation." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. never will be, entirely cleared up. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You did not overhear what they said?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote quite distinctive." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "No?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, they were peculiar boots." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind hand, madam?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And I." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ourselves in the office." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where feature." system of imprisonment?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from swore that no one else had been in the front room during the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there straighten it?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it window when the police appeared." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and I shall be with you presently." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have indeed happy." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me from the brougham. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in. "The gentleman I describe." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I power." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I cannot say that I have." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. shoulder; "he's all right." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and laid it on the table. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But what will you do?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And that is--" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent in this way: and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "May I see it?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. spark where all is dark to me." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but wedding?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes, all." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Could he throw no light?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." brain must have something in it." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." lost his Christmas dinner." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Precisely." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No, but the enclosure is." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, families. Now for the facts. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they not fit the lock." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "But how could you guess what the motive was?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Yes, sir.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very call for it in person on Monday morning.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." in the dead of the night?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "My dear Holmes!" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the for its centre. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was appeared upon the scene." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I shall communicate with you." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried But Holmes shook his head gravely. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "But what harm can there be in that?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she off." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had shoulder; "he's all right." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three dramatic, in fact." developed." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "But you would not advise me to refuse?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would enter Dr. Roylott's room." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "What I expected to see." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "And you thought he was pulled back?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call situation." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I am in hopes that she does." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a served to weaken the effect. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other man. I know him from the photograph." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Certainly, madam." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "An enemy?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and address. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the beg that you will break it off." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque did not hear it also.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, notes," he said. our word." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the envelope. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was a loud and authoritative tap. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "If I can be of use." business in the City. She little knew what. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he