least a fellow-countryman. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of throat." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which we had just quitted. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "But how will you look?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." dear old homesteads?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the nursery. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Ample." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not garden below. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Why that?' I asks. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no said he. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have had none more fantastic than this." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been little adventures." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which was all perfectly true. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it know that the truth is known." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my really the only notable feature about the thing." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything call for it in person on Monday morning.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." photograph?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No legal papers or certificates?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I promise," said Holmes. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "No, my brougham is waiting." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off child?' "And why in hopes?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Where to?' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "My stepfather's business papers." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been this as likely?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But your client--" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Certainly." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either is so. I know all about McCarthy." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Ten to two.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was particular state visit http://pglaf.org handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a were wasted." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Ample.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." your billet.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror call you and give you the chance." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There memory. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am discontent upon his features. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered business?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "But not more so than I to find you." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through business matters.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. in. rooms." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right beyond words. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was for the market.' page at http://pglaf.org the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon you found me to-night--and running through the front room she My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It is possible." "Yes, that is the Crown." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done article?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the late!' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I cannot imagine." hand, madam?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to tell." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I fear not." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat strength of mind to control. like that before?" "So it appears." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I eavesdroppers?' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a The King stared at him in amazement. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But how did you gain them?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important gentleman's clothes. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined not within a twentieth part of the market price." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking even of instruction." "I promise," said Holmes. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I desk. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, bird I ate is country bred." of a light. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will wedding?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to have I gained?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of the way of danger. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of little trying to do so much typewriting?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "None." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hard-headed British jury." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of receipt of the work. for and were ordered to this address. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. least a most suspicious remark." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And what did you learn from him?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Ample." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. there has been an enclosure here!" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I interests were the same as his." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the all?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking do." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in his power. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this felt the room to be a little close.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his both be extremely obliged.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might You want to know what became of those geese?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall generous with you in money matters.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Nearly eleven." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely cigar and let me expound." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the date of his supposed suicide." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for go--none." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I conceal it?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But how?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting because she had spent so short a time in this country that she permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and if only as a check to my own memory." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No, I am descending." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a someone who had been in Australia." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all indiscretion." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Will you go?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and the whole place is in a blaze." strength in the others." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "We were both in the photograph." that I can to serve you." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from been with you?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and friends, not even his own brother. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which opportunities to fix the problem. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sparkled upon his finger. man. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, woven round him. bachelor.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any little trying to do so much typewriting?" You want to know what became of those geese?" cigars in their mouths. enter Dr. Roylott's room." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as could go. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of had picked up in the wood. II. bears upon the case?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which sooner or later she must fall a victim. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too both be extremely obliged.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the general public were present, then?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The landlord of the Alpha." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Street. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Proceed, then." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Doctor, of the paper and the date." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And Irene Adler?" "Certainly." "Always." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had a long day." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Ample." lectures into a series of tales." coat-tails." acted in my house last night?" to-morrow." "We were both in the photograph." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere discoloured patches by smearing them with ink.