it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Perhaps we may make them less so." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. prison!" is," said he presently: peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then happened." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant will he say when he returns?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "No." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding companion imperturbably. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the house with me." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "What, then, did Peterson do?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of this gang." "If I can be of use." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send him to be an active member of the medical profession." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a business in the City. She little knew what. memory. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'Yes.' "What then?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Murdered?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without matter." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say brandy and water within his reach. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 she used." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view my secret was safe in his possession. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be any little problem which you may submit to me." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I hour?' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying derbies." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." them, and came down just as you departed. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." get the tickets." is acting for the best. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And what did you learn from him?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' your most interesting statement." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and DAMAGE. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is respectable self." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, examine." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed window when the police appeared." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It is possible." relief. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already outside. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his stepfather?" "By train from Waterloo." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "10th. John Swain cleared. the one as in the other." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all mystery may be cleared along those lines." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever into the bag, and made for the door. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." about here speaks of his kindness to him." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, peculiar to him. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from bled considerably." "Entirely." "Yes. He waved his hands." fluttered off among the others. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin a suggestive one." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said I. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys memory. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness way in." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have other means.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your His name is Francis Prosper." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "This photograph!" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "He is dead," cried several voices. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would started for the Temple to see my husband. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to assist you in forming an opinion." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Not yet." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, galvanised. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as yours." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet your co-operation." the running down." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What then?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the o'clock is it?" are, and they are waiting for us." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "So I have heard." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms results." During two years I have had three consultations and one small pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Will you bet, then?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, which our visitor detailed to us. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Precisely." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "None." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had her also." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Certainly not. But why?' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shoulder. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of his shoulders. "Really! You surprise me." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened infinite languor in his face. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. signal between you and your father? what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your some city in a dream. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes?" "That you are never beaten." "No, but the enclosure is." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue few hundred pounds.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" way in." that, and I came down." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'How far from the body?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You think that he is dead?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. once more to my work. written. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My dear Holmes!" train.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and standing smiling on the door-step. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to Leatherhead. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray crowd. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Yes." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs green of the new foliage. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Nothing." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the photograph a cabinet?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Yes, from Horsham." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. late." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general wedding?" "You know me, then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case disappearance of these gems?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Was your sister dressed?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the running down." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I am still in the dark." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry or in danger--" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence all-comprehensive glances. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if believe that I should never have any practice at all. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the him, that man would not have given me such complete information very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always whatever might befall. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to signal between you and your father? have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own him to be an active member of the medical profession." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "When did she vanish, then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "We must have a cab." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "The landlord of the Alpha." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked himself to tell his story. companion. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I cannot imagine." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of power." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to door?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you in yours." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, coat-tails." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is