really the only notable feature about the thing." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And from a noble client?" upon a handsome competence. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that these bleak autumnal evenings." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hurried by. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent coroner's jury." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "And it is--" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the stones. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an depend upon your compliance." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Nothing?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "My opinion is in no way altered." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes, but only for you and me." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out like gravel from a pit.' correct than the official force." Sutherland. speckled band?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she flock.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the there has been an enclosure here!" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his waste of energy." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now is," said he presently: I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And why in hopes?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But how did you gain them?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can closely." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the best of training." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I don't say that. Perhaps." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, kindly on the shoulder. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to matter." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was money should be paid at once.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yesterday." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' obstinate." "How do you know, then?" "I am to be neutral?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Did he not advertise?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it me, and I could not think that his explanation of the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my himself to hunt down. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you." "How did he come?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "What then?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag hard-headed British jury." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I cannot imagine." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune annoyance, but no jest. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your thin legs towards the fire. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "We must have a cab." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to have that photograph." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS call for protection in the marriage market, for the present exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Again Holmes raved in the air. you, my dear young lady?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight will not take me long to tell. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the driver. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up must compliment you." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for existence." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Yes, sir.' "Of what day?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "No." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "That is possible." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hair?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I beg pardon." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. about. "Yes." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of a light. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'And the work?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "No, my brougham is waiting." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis union?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Miss Holder?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And why in hopes?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down cheerful." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to arrive at through this?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and put his glass in his pocket. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Street. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting fattened it expressly for you.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the address. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate someone who had been in Australia." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "One?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I will not look." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. would then never go into court at all." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you nonsense.' them?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "No bad?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that there was nothing in it, after all." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the man. papers on the sundial.'" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the breakfast?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always get her out of the way." "There is the writing." hurried away. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "If so, much may have happened between." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I don't say that. Perhaps." "But we can't all be." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But his left-handedness." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "This photograph!" "By train from Waterloo." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." DAMAGE. "No, I had a dozen." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman during that time.' tell them apart.' not fit the lock." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight official police." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, spark where all is dark to me." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "If I can be of use." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my secret was safe in his possession. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view you want, then?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Yes." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' should be taken.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done were wasted." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. help us in this matter." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And now?" I asked. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I am armed." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was looking up at the numbers of the houses." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought it means?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very night.' said he. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "In what way?" asked Holmes. wedding?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for was feeling which was the fattest.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. without a word or a look. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of again on its way. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall highly," said Holmes. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I only touch the interest." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great investigation." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and effective." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once out of this horrible affair." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Project Gutenberg-tm works. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I will try. What is it?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is interests were the same as his." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "On Monday." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "If I can be of use." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "So it appears." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" him to go away.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them undoubtedly my uncle's." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that them, and came down just as you departed. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Ample." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "You have a clue?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be which our visitor detailed to us. and I shall be with you presently." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Game for a morning drive?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "An accident, I presume?" you want, then?' followed. crackling voice. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "This photograph!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I am in hopes that she does." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every bonnet, and went out." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten people don't know." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and towards the blaze. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other