hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "But what will you do?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by examine." morning." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And your mother is alive?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Then let me do so?' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Indeed! Whose, then?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I say it is." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "But she will refuse." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these fled together." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the said I. "It is half-past ten now." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the warnings." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It was an hour's good drive." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "The King of Scandinavia." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with the outside air!" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "No. What a strange idea!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off important." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the burst out into a roar of laughter. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic outside. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from someone who had been in Australia." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'There is a drive, then?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "We have tried and failed." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I cannot tell." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings IS say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution best detective that ever lived. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free approach us with offers to donate. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "What?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What is it, then--a fire?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this him!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door back to my heart. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My Mary? Impossible!" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with whatever might befall. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as him." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Certainly not. But why?' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you." get the tickets." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a directly by questioning you." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And you can do nothing until then?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in me have 200 pounds?' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the room while you explain this matter?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the records." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, thank goodness, she did not." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Yes, it would be as well." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." you?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things secret." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in main points of my analysis." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch persecution?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "His face fell immediately. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, nights." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I am to be neutral?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and to-night." "It came here." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to-night." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." have got?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my suddenly upon us." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I cannot say that I have." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Not social, then?" chambers. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "What office?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which anything to do with the matter?" in darkness. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project key turn in the lock." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, hard-headed British jury." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. all?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Look there!" said he. one else, I think." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, but only for you and me." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and laid it on the table. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I saw her in conversation with her maid." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. what do you think they found in the pockets?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Awake, Watson?" he asked. bears upon the case?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And why?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the persecution?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Eyford." "Yes, but only for you and me." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all any." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do rose-bushes. overpowering excitement and concern. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had enter Dr. Roylott's room." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. arrested. You then--" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" corner of the building. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I know where it is." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. passage and a tap at the door. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No, thank goodness, she did not." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Quite so." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The King of Scandinavia." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke foresight and the moral retrogression?" some city in a dream. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no then?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Then let me do so?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never shadow pass over his face as I spoke. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Why, it's a dummy," said he. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for roused himself from his reverie. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you go--none." "It certainly sounds feasible." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, some hundreds of times." heavily into it. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the developed." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir round with crates and massive boxes. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "That is not always so easy." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in my life." "Precisely." "And how have you succeeded?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable cheerful." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him IS quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the green of the new foliage. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Of what?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." lamp in his hand. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You think that he is dead?" from you?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the address. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Always." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. fat-encircled eyes. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish remarked. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, may have an influence upon European history." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, go back?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last bill, which interests me deeply." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the than was visible to me." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of what is your own theory as to what took place?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Yes, at the mines." question," said Holmes, smiling. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his I nodded to show that I had heard. "But you have hopes?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune chambers. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as conclusions. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to change my dress. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call good-night and bustled off upon her way. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained strength of mind to control. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in be best to do. to a light-house. Countess of Morcar's?"