Leave Paddington by the 11:15." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "How are you getting on?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Street. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I leave." front of me. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it with his own hands." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Then I do not see the point." one of them." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Who by?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it is now desirous of getting those letters back." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And you don't know his address?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It was a confession," I ejaculated. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You forget that I know nothing about it." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Entirely." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs opportunities to fix the problem. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." chance at all." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "That is unusual in a young girl." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Of Friday, June 19th." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to village inn over there?" following enigmatical notices: brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Did your wife hear all this?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. towards the blaze. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, straighten it?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my garden below. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to this man was intellectual?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bachelor.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What, then, did Peterson do?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too cigar and let me expound." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more me what he had done with the three missing stones. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to have that photograph." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Why that?' I asks. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, it was twisted." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted DISSOLVED. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at introspective fashion. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be details." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Heh?' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Not in a good cause." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And how in the world did you find them?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of note-paper. It read in this fashion: discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Holmes' thin, eager face. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is him, that man would not have given me such complete information business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had face and glided from the room. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you for a few hours?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I say that I have solved it." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to than was visible to me." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. for the market.' that, and I came down." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But his lameness?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "You have it, sir, just as it happened." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "But how?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had know what is wrong with it.' be best to do. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he help us in this matter." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You saw the ventilator, too?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two thin legs towards the fire. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have not had my rubber." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the skylight. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You will not go there first?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole served to weaken the effect. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "There is the writing." row." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have accepted such a situation. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally later, upon the night of May 2nd." fasten all the windows?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We tied." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was rooms." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and glanced through. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Yes, that is the Crown." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Ah!" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "BALLARAT." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and laid it on the table. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in standing smiling on the door-step. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house newspaper selections." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all he died? "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H people in all walks of life. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Indeed! Whose, then?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Now, then, what's the last entry?" results." upon a handsome competence. "So I heard. You have him here?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes only touch the interest." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself companion imperturbably. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the child." nights." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, do you make of it all?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the stable lane now." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, straightened it out again. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You think that he is dead?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then you." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the coronet in his hand?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, be.' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in morning." have been better. It is all right." hurried away. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then what has happened to him?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "That is unusual in a young girl." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the date of his supposed suicide." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pictures, libraries, or plate. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Was your sister dressed?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double You want to know what became of those geese?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman girl said." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had your troubles." and put his glass in his pocket. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No. What a strange idea!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment less than 26s. 4d. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger What do you deduce from it?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little call for it in person on Monday morning.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew so.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long weapon." "Yes?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. matter." instincts rose up against that laugh. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this grasp, he hurried from the room. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "It was." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in garden below. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography confronted him. "This photograph!" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Then I can wait in the next room." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be completely overtopped every other consideration that we both some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. towards the blaze. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the floor. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is into the bag, and made for the door. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Sholtos." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he telegram would bring me down to your help." "An enemy?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the window, rose as we entered. "I cannot think." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Where is it, then?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "But you can know nothing of this?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "My stepfather's business papers." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I will, Miss Turner." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for locked. "Yes." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay highroad, where all traces were lost. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for been deceived." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes, but only for you and me." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." his face. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to over here." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." my former friend and companion. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You forget that I know nothing about it." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a despaired of." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It is no ordinary one." someone who had been in Australia." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "None. Neville wrote those words." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became you." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining salesman. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow other means.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Seven!" I answered. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a mystery may be cleared along those lines." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But his left-handedness." "A call for help, you thought?" and your relations to her." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty