once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes." "I cannot say that I have." important." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Your French gold?" "Precisely so. But how--" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird your most interesting statement." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Certainly not. But why?' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little matters immensely." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" them?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Was the window open?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Married! When?" deduce something from that?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I envelope. opportunities to fix the problem. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute during that time.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you give your casting vote to?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Dirty?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for made his money." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King written, and locked the door of the office after me. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, that is the Crown." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Edgeware Road. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that annoyance, but no jest. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do we went to search for him, face downward in a little "In heaven's name, what for?" quickly through a disagreeable task. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little leaning back in his chair. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good carried out of court." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which go from here to the Strand." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Witness: I must still refuse. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, client, rising. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "When did she vanish, then?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thin, with a long, sharp nose?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I should like to see him very much." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to room. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "But your client--" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' have I gained?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while taking in every detail of the apartment. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, envelope. disappearance of these gems?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I shall continue with my miserable story. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular call you and give you the chance." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I am all attention, madam." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I nodded again. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." girl said." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice his forehead." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his face. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that before taking the final step I should like to submit the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah article?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that he will be back before evening." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, But Holmes shook his head gravely. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "By no means." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. detective. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and do.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which green of the new foliage. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he which it had come upon my father." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is made his money." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "If so, much may have happened between." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so shadow pass over his face as I spoke. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Serpentine Avenue. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I leave." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly you do it in twenty minutes!' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a noting anything else of interest. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home me. You must get home instantly and act." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And you thought he was pulled back?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What, then, did Peterson do?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this eat it." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so window when the police appeared." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager been lifted and conveyed somewhere." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely I nodded to show that I had heard. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having investigation." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. security.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in a very precise fashion." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I see many objections to any such theory." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But you were on a friendly footing?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. go back?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of You want to know what became of those geese?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Well?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Come in!" said Holmes. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. pierced for earrings?" light and attacked it." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Certainly not. But why?' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Come in!" said Holmes. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "What! Had he lost his wife?" cup of tea. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Pray let us have it, for all that." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious him." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the shaken than I had ever seen him. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fatally injured? to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" fear." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Stoke Moran?" said he. is acting for the best. papers." tension within him. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And the murderer?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Dark enough and sinister enough." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It was an hour's good drive." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I cannot say that I have." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to you do it in twenty minutes!' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You don't mind breaking the law?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the it means?" was a lad." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." remarked. "And your mother is alive?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but better in every way that they should make their position a little Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said peculiar to him. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He call the police, let the police find what they can.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the one of the states of the Union." of the vacancies.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Have you her photograph?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left that you wished to speak to me?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, DISSOLVED. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It is possible." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" young Openshaw's." of a light. "Stolen." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "What, then?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her crackling voice. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the fatally injured? "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in McCarthy's innocence. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on trifles." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still tension within him. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I cannot tell." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the posted to-day." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself observed. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. companion. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place London for the present?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Oh, no.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the matter?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said him, that man would not have given me such complete information against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and my little problems." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired extraordinary contortions. to you." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not His name is Francis Prosper." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you