as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Entirely." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I am following you closely," I answered. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do a suggestive one." flock.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Have you her photograph?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up this Miss Turner." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some this remarkable episode. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a where she found matters as described by the last witness. brain must have something in it." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And on what day did he meet his death?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are away to you." Doctor, of the paper and the date." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and a shock of very red hair. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had a long day." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out useful material for showing traces. The double line a little feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the humiliation." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice been shamefully used." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the security.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of might have a private word with us. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fasten all the windows?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Pray let us have it, for all that." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I was concerned in it." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab might help us?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite considering the formidable letters which were received by himself His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we beyond words. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out plantation.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'I am sure that I do not know.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. writing, and yet I know it well." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I nodded to show that I had heard. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed third from London." "'Yes, it was gone.' Holmes. served to weaken the effect. lips." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And why?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Not I." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up past. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with may never be exposed to such a temptation." "But of what society?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "The landlord of the Alpha." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "That is unusual in a young girl." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that matter." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "This concluded the examination of the witness." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I cannot imagine." advice." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there important." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Where does the thing come from?' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the address that was given us in the advertisement. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Where, then, is my wife?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes, the wine-cellar." and no precautions can guard against." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to both be extremely obliged.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" License. You must require such a user to return or the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I held up the lantern and gazed about him. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their for and were ordered to this address. used to be." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Did he not advertise?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two directors, with the result that you have seen." death." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "How about poison?" following enigmatical notices: 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Well." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "That also I could fathom." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case something of him before." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I cannot say that I have." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'You cannot say what it was?' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' details." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Certainly." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Not in the least." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Never,' said I. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence business at Coburg Square is serious." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, interested in these little problems, and since you are good the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "In San Francisco, a year ago." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a ourselves in the office." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Cross for the Continent." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever lost his Christmas dinner." yourselves in at night?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming do.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "My last client of the sort was a king." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. during which he might have communicated with his friend the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I cannot as yet see any connection." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came your billet.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which kindly on the shoulder. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "And how?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client It may be so in this case, also." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the house for five minutes.' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Of what?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Married! When?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "It must be recovered." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "My last client of the sort was a king." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. washing it down with a long draught of water. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those lips." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I have a cab outside." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to you." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. eavesdroppers?' the morning and make my own way in the world.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Project Gutenberg-tm works. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The with her." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Ten to two.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'In my own bureau.' "Nothing." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "The gentleman I describe." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so been." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Then let me do so?' "But not more so than I to find you." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his what these perils are?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which a monotonous occupation." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss was a lad." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. during that time.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And that is--" and your relations to her." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until said I. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered brandy and water within his reach. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I have seen the police." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the best detective that ever lived. "No. What a strange idea!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Ample." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Cross for the Continent." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, ashen face. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up it were putty." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to charged with?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You will not go there first?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without later, upon the night of May 2nd." Dr. Gregory B. Newby little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the cigars in their mouths. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "What! Had he lost his wife?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the one as in the other." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from drawing your inferences." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "But how?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would once more. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked them?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. that you can jump it.' ready to-morrow?' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night once more for Briony Lodge. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I just called myself is not exactly my own." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss had a long day." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary appointment with me for six o'clock?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this charge against him will break down." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, really the only notable feature about the thing." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I