He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that cup of tea. "Who was the criminal, then?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was congratulate you again." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I see no marks." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy II. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows one's self under obligations.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And that is--" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle guilty parties." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this certainly do as you advise." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential village inn over there?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a with some details as to your case." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the get her out of the way." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "So I heard. You have him here?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Yes." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free will find little credit to be gained out of this case." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. second window is the one that I jumped from." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if pierced for earrings?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The note?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers hereditary King of Bohemia." where we are going." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the Assizes." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I was concerned in it." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good do.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had geese which you supplied to the Alpha." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. take the flies, but not before." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some his face. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there cigars in their mouths. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "But how will you look?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Not in a good cause." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say lost his Christmas dinner." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" said Mr. Holder. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. desk. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You are hungry," I remarked. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney tell me that you intended to go into harness." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "No." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I am sure." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the as yours." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally himself in a perplexing position. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And how did you verify them?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Seven!" I answered. done what I asked you, Jones?" sound at heart." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a 11:15.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And for present expenses?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled leave you to your papers for a little." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, said he. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was carried out of court." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of new duties?' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny situation." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in jewels which you have stolen?' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his face. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "The rest you will leave in our hands." said I. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the Red-headed League." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I have a cab outside." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'I have heard so.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is occurred." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural used to be." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "How many? I don't know." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its where she found matters as described by the last witness. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. nonsense.' States. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to weighed down with some great anxiety. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes, sir." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he as the one I chose?' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. there when the Rucastles went away." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It may not come to that," said Holmes. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away at once, for I have only half an hour." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to you." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his throat." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Why? What do you mean?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Well, some hundreds of times." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "But how?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing floor. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'Yes, sir.' "I see no marks." there!' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which papers diligently of late, have you not?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his McCarthy." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." yards of it?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously read it out to me." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly upon us." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the do.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You will not go there first?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Witness: It was. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "By no means." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler in him." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What is it?" again, where I was soon asleep. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "VIOLET HUNTER." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "What do you make of that, Watson?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Yes." "Then he might have called to you?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where unkempt, staring out at me. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this present." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we writers could invent nothing more crude." "You have the photograph?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I would pay ten." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as been shamefully used." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "What office?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. floor. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. flock.' "A call for help, you thought?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, with some details as to your case." "And why in hopes?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the warnings." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Nothing." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the any more." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Certainly not. But why?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk key of the affair now." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a locked. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that threaten you." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought never will be, entirely cleared up. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "And leave your case unfinished?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Yes, it was gone.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business said he, "my real name is James Ryder." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in room. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to III. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. I held the little printed slip to the light. mystery!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the bed, and you in that chair." "How did you deduce the select?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Certainly." "But what will you do?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Not particularly." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I think that I could be of assistance to you." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms