You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if tear off another piece?' interested in these little problems, and since you are good well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And what did you see?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you triumphant cloud from his cigarette. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Very good.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "But how?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "A client, then?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "He said too much." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he died? "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, to miss it." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how do.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the morning and make my own way in the world.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered friends, not even his own brother. that?' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." paper in the air. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that I am arrested." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." II. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this appeal." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the your sleep?' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his with the outside air!" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. read over the extraordinary announcement. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my fluttered off among the others. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of happened." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is village inn over there?" "An accident, I presume?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than as noiselessly as she had come. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had bell. Holmes whistled. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Dr. Gregory B. Newby calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Stoke Moran?" said he. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to your room." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But we can't all be." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Heh?' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works views." as he folded up the epistle. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Edgeware Road. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of nothing with him." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "She will not sell." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Will you go?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It was." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell this unhappy family?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "My photograph." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. results." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And I to find an enemy." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes, I have one waiting." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Proceed, then." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'You cannot say what it was?' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower garden below. think that any burglar could have done. "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the cigars in the box." to some other building. ashen face. Henry Baker is a member." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the loss of it. me upon any point which I do not make clear." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my strength." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "To ruin me." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And now?" He raised his hand. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'You cannot say what it was?' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 'please.'" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the will not take me long to tell. "None. Neville wrote those words." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it goes." sneer upon his pale face. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he conduct the inquiry." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in done what I asked you, Jones?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Yesterday." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, this poor creature." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which I could not give. He asked for Alice. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet in your London, you will know that the office of the company is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and inquire as to the address." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No, I had a dozen." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to take the flies, but not before." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of quickly through a disagreeable task. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "No." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several results." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step not within a twentieth part of the market price." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or problems help me to do so." future lives." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a this unhappy family?" "No more words. Get out!" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy paper in the air. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well, but China?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. could gather together that I was able to avert another public the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry you." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point looking up at the numbers of the houses." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." allusion to a rat. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "How did you deduce the select?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, my brougham is waiting." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. McCarthy's innocence. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "By train from Waterloo." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the his face. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand such person." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the dangers which encompass me." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I say it is." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, people don't know." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported States. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that ways of our fellow-men." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of main points of my analysis." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "To an English lawyer named Norton." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It is very kind of you." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Why did you pick him?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the conceal it?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a salesman. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, ordinary clothes on?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Your sister is dead, then?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Yes." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "An accident, I presume?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as memory. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my as he remarks, very much against the son." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I will not look." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Not him." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond empty. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put bonnet, and went out." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in what is your own theory as to what took place?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may