- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Now, then, what's the last entry?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Edgeware Road. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yesterday." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I will do it." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'I have heard so.' chair. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Yes, it was gone.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." him nearly every evening." the coronet in his hand?" "Game for a morning drive?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Witness: It was. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Well." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "No." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Frequently." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his IS know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Sutherland?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the official police." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Certainly." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It chance." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." people don't know." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Yes." had this final quarrel? people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "No." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything nothing with him." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, this unhappy family?" strength of mind to control. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally himself in a perplexing position. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes. He waved his hands." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be system of imprisonment?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that this man was intellectual?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and the whole place is in a blaze." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to for its centre. "I am about to be married." cup of tea. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to affect your life." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in strong and stiff." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to some other building. "At the wedding breakfast." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger handed it to him. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I answered that I had not. extraordinary contortions. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes call you and give you the chance." address. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lamp in his hand. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Quite so." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "That you are never beaten." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few in darkness. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are was a lad." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, danger is over." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at must compliment you." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way it were putty." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "How did he come?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite London for the present?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "But his lameness?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hand, madam?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. call you and give you the chance." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But to whom?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and breakfast." extraordinary contortions. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project my room." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "What is it, then--a fire?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "He is still with you, I presume?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gbnewby@pglaf.org likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me key of the affair now." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his fortune, and I went back to pa. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He was used.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: felt?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It is half-past ten now." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the coronet in his hands?" "But not more so than I to find you." "None." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Do you go out much in society?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detective. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "What then?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. girl said." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling is worth.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "And for present expenses?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and keep the flames under. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Quite sure, dad.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a again on its way. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Then I can wait in the next room." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You saw the ventilator, too?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with fear." relief. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Who by?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of annoyance, but no jest. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness secret." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And when will you call?" "My own seal." second." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I cannot imagine." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' arrested. You then--" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." affair. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as he folded up the epistle. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "He said too much." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman never came back." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'It is locked up,' I answered. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a such attractions and accomplishments?' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Imitated." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled whole matter to your consideration." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and salesman. shall use the carriage to-night." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and a shock of very red hair. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate went to the Alpha were town bred." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, miles off. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and you." infinite languor in his face. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "The landlord of the Alpha." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to very old mansion. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. absorbing." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Here?" friends, not even his own brother. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure there in twenty minutes." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the happened." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose my former friend and companion. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No sign of it?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "That is easily got." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the notes," he said. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and key turn in the lock." sooner or later she must fall a victim. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly companion. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook are windows in it, of course?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that through." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the events than those which have happened in my own family." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" morning." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. again, where I was soon asleep. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "How did he come?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'You doubt its value?' he asked. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more giving me time to thank him. for securing the situation." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all kind enough to tell me what I should do." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I very morning of my second wedding." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the