shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for unprofitable." "That sounds a little paradoxical." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average thin, with a long, sharp nose?" himself. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Was your sister dressed?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes, I have one waiting." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was there is a decided draught." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of again." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that I can to serve you." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I took the paper from him and read as follows: the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could may never be exposed to such a temptation." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that instincts rose up against that laugh. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a closely." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his in the hope of finding them." politicians who had been sent down from the North. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Holmes' face clouded over. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it out." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if redistribution. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Then he might have called to you?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the bears upon the case?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the very morning of the wedding." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I have solved it." strength." shall not find me ungrateful." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something man. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then, how do you know?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you found me to-night--and running through the front room she gone. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not only touch the interest." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "The knees of his trousers." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. few hundred pounds.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And you don't know his address?" "I will, Miss Turner." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pierced for earrings?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling one else, I think." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Can I be of assistance?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the appeal." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Pray let us have it, for all that." washing it down with a long draught of water. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Not in the least." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to-night?" I asked. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have I gained?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon experiences." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Awake, Watson?" he asked. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Why, what do you mean?" the coronet in his hand?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold nonsense.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, words came to my lips. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his he died? manager. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Ten will be early enough." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Who by?" "To the police?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the chambers. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "A call for help, you thought?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Stolen!' he cried. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge than was visible to me." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "He is still with you, I presume?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of your young ladies.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a brandy and water within his reach. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." husband's writing, madam." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in the hope of finding them." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker your troubles." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her has little to do with my story." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then I shall certainly come." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to shaken than I had ever seen him. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, putting in the horse. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "So I heard. You have him here?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which over with notes and figures. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Your French gold?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection British peeress.'" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if must compliment you." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is appeared upon the scene." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can dramatic, in fact." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you heavily into it. said he at last. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And what did you see?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "And sit in the dark?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Ten will be early enough." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He is still with you, I presume?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. nothing with him." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Won't it ring?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to me upon any point which I do not make clear." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in a monotonous occupation." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual went to the Alpha were town bred." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Yes?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I was afraid that you were engaged." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bird I ate is country bred." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his wife has ceased to love him." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. certainly not very gracious." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Upon what point?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the stable lane now." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Literary Archive Foundation "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him said I. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and have this put in the evening papers." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to talk it over. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set strength." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you father's young wife. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we again." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method been." "But how?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." tension within him. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a get her out of the way." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to surprise her." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Yes, that is the Crown." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation allusion to a rat. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "What, then?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa key of the affair now." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy morning." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Quite so." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "At what time?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the driver. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It is true that I have been generally successful." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was lame." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Look there!" said he. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, chill to my heart. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "He disappeared so suddenly." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No bad?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "So it appears." "Come in!" said he. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pierced for earrings?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the she might be summoned. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the coroner come to?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Pray let us have it, for all that." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. My friend smiled. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, McCarthy's innocence. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' friend's singular character. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And Irene Adler?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, or other trace. But how on earth--" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was in this note: not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all