"This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What then?" developed." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fuss that is made over them." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lost nothing by them." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good questionable one." other means.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. His smile broadened. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What!" he roared. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man bedroom door." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a few minutes he said that it would be all right. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we them?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is good for you to do.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open name is different." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that he will be back before evening." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "None." acted in my house last night?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I reach." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'And what salary do you ask?' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I was mad--insane." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I am following you closely," I answered. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the general public were present, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you way in." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the His name is Francis Prosper." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I answered that I had not. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "But she will refuse." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he business came to an end." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "What can you not understand?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study them?" Literary Archive Foundation town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "What do you mean?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Miss Holder?" lumber-room." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "How many? I don't know." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. coroner's jury." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door said he, "my real name is James Ryder." bonnet, and went out." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "There are none." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, examine." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." a suggestive one." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Was there a secret marriage?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the bottom.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I answered that I had not. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a something of him before." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Your presence might be invaluable." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide several quiet little villages up there." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two awkward doing business with an alias." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'In my own bureau.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Why? What do you mean?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Was he the only applicant?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And what did you learn from him?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I took the paper from him and read as follows: propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my absorbing." "We were both in the photograph." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had roused himself from his reverie. asked. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Nothing?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Nothing?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." once more to my work. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk before the coroner and the police-court." really the only notable feature about the thing." tail." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. over here." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian distinguish the words: the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom only touch the interest." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the a room. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those photograph?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban case-book, which he consulted. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who ready to-morrow?' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was a lad." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and advice." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Now, then, what's the last entry?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into helping a boy to put up the shutters. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He might." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might second window is the one that I jumped from." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Certainly." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what are, and they are waiting for us." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Watson," he said cordially. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, good-night and bustled off upon her way. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I will try. What is it?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." business." present." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Do you know him?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I answered that I had not. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Well?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this villagers almost as much as their master. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Yes, sir.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Ah!" "A call for help, you thought?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my she might be summoned. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses away to you." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the to-night?" I asked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the in his power. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the papers must be those that are destroyed.' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'And the work?' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It must be recovered." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in this note: facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Yes, it was twisted." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It child?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in a friendly supper." "'Certainly not.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Nothing." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the stones. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both digesting their breakfasts at home." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to me. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Watson," he said cordially. case before our client came into the room." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do whether it answered to the description of any of their "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Chief Executive and Director "No good news?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such own family. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is man. I know him from the photograph." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you want, then?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "VIOLET HUNTER." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong looking up at the numbers of the houses." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "He said too much." quickly through a disagreeable task. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly union?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You don't mind breaking the law?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting with some details as to your case." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "To an English lawyer named Norton." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "From his hat?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door only touch the interest." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Sholtos." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of entirely devoid of interest." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to once more to my work. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he becomes even more simple." "9th. McCauley cleared. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would gentleman's clothes. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Married! When?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to-morrow." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a voice. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. several quiet little villages up there."