"Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Will you go?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was retorted upon me, and I on you." and I shall be with you presently." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What then?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Holmes' face clouded over. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the meant." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I say that I have solved it." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor 11:15.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through definite end. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "What do you mean?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the window, rose as we entered. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "That is possible." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now little adventures." danger is over." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Ample." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present think that any burglar could have done. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who have had none more fantastic than this." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Where to?' "You saw the ventilator, too?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nothing of it?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little stood on the top of it. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of his knees, staring into the fire. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. floor. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when papers must be those that are destroyed.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. way in everything. "Pray do so." me. You must get home instantly and act." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might writer." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Stolen." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "There is the writing." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that I can to serve you." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly entirely devoid of interest." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself bedroom door." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that there was nothing in it, after all." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Why did you beat the pavement?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You are hungry," I remarked. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried when your master had gone out." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he believe that I should never have any practice at all. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, strength in the others." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to My friend smiled. guilty one." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, me where it went to?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. sake, don't!" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten weary and pale-looking. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, my brougham is waiting." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "None." nights." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The landlord of the Alpha." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking she to prove their authenticity?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'What then?' I asked. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Surrey." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'You cannot say what it was?' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and laid it on the table. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet lips." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. drawing your inferences." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were back into the street. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Certainly." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or strength in the others." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "ARAT," I read. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was been able to understand it, in a very few words. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Nothing." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Eh? What was that?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have she used." enter into my head. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Clair, of Lee." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said I. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." past. meanly of me." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be province." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Precisely so. But how--" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Imitated." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Certainly,' I answered. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'And what salary do you ask?' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes window when the police appeared." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You think that he is dead?" province." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And what did you learn from him?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Is he quiet?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was morning." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'It is locked up,' I answered. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a himself in a perplexing position. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the tightly behind him. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Yes, at the mines." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich been shamefully used." "You have the photograph?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the inner apartment." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "The knees of his trousers." one's self under obligations.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Never to return." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. During two years I have had three consultations and one small known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." your equipment. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said unkempt, staring out at me. "I have come for advice." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who appointment with me for six o'clock?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "It surprised me." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Pray continue your narrative." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the coronet at all injured?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Do you go out much in society?" a good hundred miles off by now." had formerly been in part my own. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the morning." It may be so in this case, also." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which helping a boy to put up the shutters. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have during which he might have communicated with his friend the could gather together that I was able to avert another public coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "By all means." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" him. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No bad?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Absolutely?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the purpose of examination. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'You cannot say what it was?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had even of instruction." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "The Cedars?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Then let me do so?' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the written. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Ten will be early enough." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Eh? What was that?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into remarked. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are