business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tear off another piece?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." bonnet, and went out." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." window when the police appeared." shaken than I had ever seen him. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents at home. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father character. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it what I may call a really hard day's work." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you might have a private word with us. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each been able to understand it, in a very few words. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a wanted for ourselves." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Has he come with you to-night?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered even of instruction." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is worth.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and intrusion of other matters." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I locked." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for certainly do as you advise." of receipt of the work. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the best of training." "I will, Miss Turner." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. long narrative. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and disappearance of these gems?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Watson," he said cordially. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet soul! here is her carriage at the door." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which our visitor detailed to us. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this poor creature." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have seven miles from Eyford Station.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the her also." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the himself to tell his story. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. results." towards the blaze. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "She will not sell." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And on what day did he meet his death?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." enter Dr. Roylott's room." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the house for five minutes.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my charged with?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ceremony." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public frequently gained my first real insight into the character of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was shining brightly. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to-morrow." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Won't it ring?" until night should bring an explanation. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, It may be so in this case, also." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Indeed! Whose, then?" to his chemical studies. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Very. But will he see it?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his wanted for ourselves." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of the way of danger. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Very murderous indeed." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could acted in my house last night?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Why serious?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I cannot think." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I have hopes." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to-night's adventure." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, seem to you to be relevant or not." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular conceal it?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, way: to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the knowledge of the world." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You are hungry," I remarked. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I examine." seen the man in the road." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that he has suffered." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The King of Scandinavia." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good enter into my head. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that I may have something better before very many minutes are many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Very much so." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." one which it was hard to resist. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do village inn over there?" "His face fell immediately. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would on in his house." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" words came to my lips. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "What can you not understand?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I was sure that I might rely on you." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was that you saw all that I did." "And for present expenses?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' tightly behind him. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three room?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I am armed." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "To ruin me." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Precisely." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with frightened eyes at his accuser. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "No bad?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get success. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." acquaintance?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that there was nothing in it, after all." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, direction." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to late." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It is possible." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in a very precise fashion." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I don't believe it." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned residence of the great financier. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark together. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I have my revolver," said I. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a suggestive one." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all not, dad?" she asked. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the inquest, and which are worth considering." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And did you observe any change in her then?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those some city in a dream. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the coronet in his hand?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The strong and stiff." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. DISSOLVED. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I shall be delighted." excitement. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must had picked up in the wood. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties little trying to do so much typewriting?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Texas, I think." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not comes from the middle window." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in tightly behind him. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "From his hat?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, I have one waiting." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic States. them, and came down just as you departed. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep least a most suspicious remark." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best individual and becomes the badge of a society." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It must be recovered." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us.