eat it." be best to do. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been if she died from some sudden fright." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dear old homesteads?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in business matters.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be My friend smiled. "My stepfather's business papers." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It is possible." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that any more." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "What can it mean?" I gasped. the child." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Entirely." "How did you trace it, then?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters daring than any effort of the imagination." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from been shamefully used." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, hour?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" crackling voice. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of good for you to do.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry exactly what you advise." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Then he might have called to you?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "My opinion is in no way altered." "So I heard. You have him here?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "And I say east," said my patient. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Very much so." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their because she had spent so short a time in this country that she disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous bill, which interests me deeply." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical was a loud and authoritative tap. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you correct than the official force." "Witness: It was. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the said Mr. Holder. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in a friendly supper." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Have you it here?" morning." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a fuss that is made over them." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business tapping his fingers upon the table. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "And it is--" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge secret." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At children over to America with him, so that I found myself without matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The events in question occurred in the early days of my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Where, indeed?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Yes, at the mines." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Where, then, is my wife?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I shall continue with my miserable story. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to cigars in their mouths. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "It is a murder, then?" "I came to find a friend." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I. beg that you will break it off." with you?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "But he might be a bachelor." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I was sure that I might rely on you." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the child." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for corner of the building. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was a loud and authoritative tap. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This tell them apart.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. leaning back in his chair. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came mystery." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of shaken than I had ever seen him. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to his chemical studies. the matter." as this. Pray let me have the details." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no gone before you can get him to hospital." "What?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that me. You must get home instantly and act." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all lids now and glanced across at his visitor. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "One?" all?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he papers must be those that are destroyed.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Yes." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, entirely lost his self-respect." your sleep?' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our chair. "Was he the only applicant?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he window when the police appeared." man. I know him from the photograph." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "And now?" He raised his hand. "Did you observe the colour?" "Yes, sir." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I seven miles from Eyford Station.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. http://gutenberg.net/license). "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes." himself in a perplexing position. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where see me here to avoid scandal." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side upon an income of about 60 pounds." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from infinite languor in his face. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, he did." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You heard nothing yourself last night?" his eyes and forehead. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I beg pardon." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, strode off upon his way. for securing the situation." presume?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying breakfast and whispered something to her husband. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. which it had come upon my father." events than those which have happened in my own family." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. was used.' pierced for earrings?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Where did you address your letters, then?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes' thin, eager face. when your master had gone out." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You horrify me!" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that, and I came down." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is strength of mind to control. clanging. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after made his money." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the on re-entering her father's house?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Absolutely none." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent congratulate you again." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "A confidential servant?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "The murder was done with it." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of it with the greatest attention. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple upon the sideboard." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "None." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into time." "You are hungry," I remarked. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the is so. I know all about McCarthy." signal between you and your father? ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the bearing upon the case." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "But you have hopes?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the placed his cuttings. "Well?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were recover the gem." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from whole matter to your consideration." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the coronet in his hand?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. such attractions and accomplishments?' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hurried away. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business wedding?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But of what society?" key turn in the lock." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the License. You must require such a user to return or William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, it is a possible supposition." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Arthur Conan Doyle few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's of." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Your presence might be invaluable." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and but preventing her from injuring another. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Never.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client formed some opinion?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions o'clock is it?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "My stepfather's business papers." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from matter." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Just look it up, then." approach us with offers to donate. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of nothing with him." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. habit of advancing money.'