while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "My last client of the sort was a king." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. this unhappy family?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each if I call to-morrow?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hard-headed British jury." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the strong reason behind." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come tell him that I know him to be innocent." success. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had been able to understand it, in a very few words. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of II. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very right! Sit down and let us talk it over." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only vanished into the darkness. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with will take you up to see the machine.' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the loss of it. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Where does the thing come from?' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, new acquaintance to Baker Street. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." my room." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of to affect your life." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, room had already been engaged for us. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped which I could not give. He asked for Alice. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest see a sister of mine apply for." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "None." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a grasp, he hurried from the room. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss again before evening." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Most admirably.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both chance at all." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were happened." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the that you can jump it.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with the outside air!" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Have you her photograph?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it were putty." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was legal crime." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that memory. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tapping his fingers upon the table. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the matter." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Who by?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it answered with a sidelong glance. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed my room." "Will you bet, then?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "In answer to an advertisement." new duties?' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at following enigmatical notices: "Absolutely none." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "In San Francisco, a year ago." enter Dr. Roylott's room." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white morning." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my like that before?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before think that any burglar could have done. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I cannot imagine." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able leave you to your papers for a little." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could strength of mind to control. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us beyond words. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter over." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest three fields round his house, and there he would take his once more for Briony Lodge. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax least a most suspicious remark." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry one else, I think." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'You cannot say what it was?' "He said too much." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "What then?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "So I am. Very much so." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry for securing the situation." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself you in yours." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. chemical work which was so dear to him. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying three of the beryls in it, was missing. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day them present such singular features as the strange train of carried out of court." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And how did he make his money?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had might help us?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You think that he is dead?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the said Mr. Holder. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you think you a quite exceptional woman." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the stable lane now." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes union?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: anything to do with the matter?" rat could hardly pass through." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or be. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He slept on the premises." "Yes?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us your room." stood on the top of it. Street. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said answer." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point happened." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Then how many are there?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of his shoulders. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Pope's Court. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has along the entire front of the house, with three long windows They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You saw the ventilator, too?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not depend upon your compliance." the ceiling. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I recover the gem." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate chance." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know together. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "The murder was done with it." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to quite distinctive." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the dangers which encompass me." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. be. my former friend and companion. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest hardly wander." chance at all." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray strange features which were associated with the two crimes which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to his chemical studies. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That you are never beaten." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or chill to my heart. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever fait accompli?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It unkempt, staring out at me. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Foundation considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "In San Francisco, a year ago." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking for and were ordered to this address. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a where we are going." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a footfalls from the street. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to promised to bring home. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the bottom.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Was there a secret marriage?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all six. Come in!" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Which are?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" so far?" of the vacancies.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building that you saw all that I did." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "We were both in the photograph." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to-night's adventure." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a joking. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, dates and names. business?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Pray do so." your sleep?' it. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our ashen face. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with nonsense.' more solid." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that there was nothing in it, after all." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Yes, sir.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it writing, and yet I know it well." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Really! You surprise me." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, into the bag, and made for the door. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my