right! Sit down and let us talk it over." knowledge of the world." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Who by?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cigars in the box." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "You have carte blanche." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Certainly not. But why?' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the so-precious time, but come!' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was room had already been engaged for us. think that any burglar could have done. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And on what day did he meet his death?" hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "His face fell immediately. confronted him. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that he has suffered." of them has the shutters up.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, used to be." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long once more. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "He is dead," cried several voices. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bell. Holmes whistled. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished been." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and he died? want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I am armed." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. to affect your life." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "And why in hopes?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, but China?" main points of my analysis." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Pope's Court. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, with frightened eyes at his accuser. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Have you good authority for what you say?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What of the rat, then?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your there has been an enclosure here!" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "No, thank goodness, she did not." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." business came to an end." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to affect your life." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It certainly sounds feasible." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to money should be paid at once.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "No, I am descending." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start room. "How on earth--" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "So it appears." crackling voice. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." brandy and water within his reach. which we had just quitted. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and strong and stiff." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the nothing of it?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You horrify me." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the woven round him. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I am still in the dark." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Then you may be so with me." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil for and were ordered to this address. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived drawing your inferences." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Not social, then?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it woven round him. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not in my life." then?" here." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be have one." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "May I see it?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he have one." suspect him." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." goes." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was keenly on my guard against him. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Married! When?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, your billet.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. power." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. you in yours." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in darkness. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking corner of the building. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson The King stared at him in amazement. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain friends, not even his own brother. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. late!' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property companion. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and laid it on the table. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is do.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and a monotonous occupation." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up fuss that is made over them." "And you can do nothing until then?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But the mystery?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "On Monday." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely States. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is residence of the great financier. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Dr. Gregory B. Newby some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had before the coroner and the police-court." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Holmes, the busybody!" envelope. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Very truly yours, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad is four-and-twenty." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he grasp, he hurried from the room. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "The knees of his trousers." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, carriage. It was a chestnut." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" strength of mind to control. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "No legal papers or certificates?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood some water from a caraffe. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to too. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'And what salary do you ask?' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you for a few hours?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the loss of it. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Not in the least." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon young Openshaw's." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "How can you tell that?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "So it appears." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas question," said Holmes, smiling. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. already been minutely examined." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have accepted such a situation. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said you give your casting vote to?" maid will bring up your coffee." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that you can jump it.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you all-comprehensive glances. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Certainly,' I answered. His name is Francis Prosper." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." nothing with him." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "A greater distance to travel." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to interested in these little problems, and since you are good could gather together that I was able to avert another public to a light-house. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." about here speaks of his kindness to him." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was answer." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But any little problem which you may submit to me." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still chemical work which was so dear to him. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do congenial hunt. outside." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or which our visitor detailed to us. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Certainly." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I approached. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Which dealer's?' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and have this put in the evening papers." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Henry Baker is a member." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich three fields round his house, and there he would take his followed. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you if she died from some sudden fright." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Sutherland. heavily into it. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to residence of the great financier. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for