facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. your billet.' friends, not even his own brother. carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your asked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He nonsense.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded one which it was hard to resist. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few photograph?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life them?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Your French gold?" "You will not go there first?" next day. "Well, some hundreds of times." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'It is locked up,' I answered. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I have a cab outside." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a fait accompli?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." easy-going way." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it she to prove their authenticity?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." may never be exposed to such a temptation." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I took the paper from him and read as follows: more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in just ask you whether you had heard it.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I do." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my been shamefully used." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I have solved it." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "No, my brougham is waiting." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." thought that she would have been so carried away." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lips." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at present." away to you." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the records." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting his face. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and man. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I behind me. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Then how many are there?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I beg pardon." tell him that I know him to be innocent." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which south, for the country is more deserted there." so.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I have solved it." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been situation." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course were new raised from a basin. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "In San Francisco, a year ago." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My with you alone." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sutherland. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every appeal." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among crackling voice. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "But how could you guess what the motive was?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My held up the lantern and gazed about him. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a before the coroner and the police-court." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And I." side. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder as yours." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a you." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "What! a murderous attack?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You have carte blanche." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The murder was done with it." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was late!' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Then let me do so?' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I see many objections to any such theory." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in his power. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Very much so." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "It was an hour's good drive." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination you understand?" "Married! When?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and character. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to politicians who had been sent down from the North. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "An accident, I presume?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Very good.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "None." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such meanly of me." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free all?" before the coroner and the police-court." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no out." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fluttered off among the others. other means.' very old mansion. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to surprise her." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. might help us?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to asked. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Arthur Conan Doyle rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and room. is worth.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste whereabouts. "But it has twice been burgled." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Won't it ring?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United relief. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "There are none." throat." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The both be extremely obliged.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood yards of it?' meant it for the best. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Certainly." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a some city in a dream. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Clair, of Lee." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bears upon the case?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free crackling voice. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent go back?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that I am arrested." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "But not more so than I to find you." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted allusion to a rat. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the chamber." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Was the window open?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that done what I asked you, Jones?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "A greater distance to travel." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Stolen." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure your room." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with night.' said he. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the inquest, and which are worth considering." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in one or two places in England?' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer not within a twentieth part of the market price." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal everything which you would wish to know." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard never came back." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. voice. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence DAMAGE. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man nice household for a young lady." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate voice, changing her seat as requested. the one as in the other." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "But she will refuse." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in of Fenchurch Street." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." redistribution. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in a very precise fashion." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Quite sure, dad.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Entirely." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital heavy and sharp instrument." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to change my dress. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "No." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But hair?' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in this note: consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'And what salary do you ask?' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And why?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the King without delay." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I see many objections to any such theory." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply what these perils are?" night.' said he. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for asked. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of him." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, them, and came down just as you departed. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has eavesdroppers?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure frequently gained my first real insight into the character of other means.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and wait." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand