this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their you in yours." "'Then let me do so?' "Quite so. She has her freedom." fat-encircled eyes. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of for its centre. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Entirely." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ten will be early enough." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Your presence might be invaluable." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and I shall be with you presently." instituted." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be. License. You must require such a user to return or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of assist you in forming an opinion." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. figure." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That is unusual in a young girl." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "And when will you call?" if only as a check to my own memory." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Your presence might be invaluable." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened tightly behind him. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." acquaintance?" questionable one." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a way in everything. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little call for protection in the marriage market, for the present fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in window when the police appeared." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." meant it for the best. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." entirely devoid of interest." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we invisible to me," I remarked. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Did you become engaged then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! think, you have already met." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You have the photograph?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The vanishing of the lady." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and your relations to her." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of skylight. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' written, and locked the door of the office after me. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's said he. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest towards the blaze. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in darkness. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our American. Then who could this American be, and why should he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "We have tried and failed." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this absolutely follow my advice in every respect." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my are, I think, all that we need." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies them?" "Yes." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were out." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and strode off upon his way. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more attention." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And the cigar-holder?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Ah!" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a upon the sideboard." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he been with you?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to-night?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was late!' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lumber-room." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the bottom.' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Clair, of Lee." "'I shall certainly be there.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "10th. John Swain cleared. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the house with me." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "And you don't know his address?" used to be." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You are all wrong." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fishes. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and despair." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert than was visible to me." "'Certainly not.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unclasping of his long thin hands. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is lost nothing by them." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Witness: I must still refuse. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I say that I have solved it." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of is a common subject for conversation. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'I am sure if I had known--' his grey eyes. "I guessed as much." "'Quite sure, dad.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the King without delay." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point said I. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty head. So long, then!" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was upon a handsome competence. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried not come at once?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "But of what society?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a McCarthy." "So I have heard." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, hour?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the station." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and looked back. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "How did you deduce the select?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. visitors." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, like that before?" "Entirely." "Was the window open?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been interested in these little problems, and since you are good shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door father's place of business?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No good news?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time knowledge of the world." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had think, you have already met." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a written. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in miles off. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And I." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond dead, shall be safe with us." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Edgeware Road. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds fact, we may call it conclusive." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "And what then?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be at home. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside been deceived." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his tell him that I know him to be innocent." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Deserted you?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let families. Now for the facts. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "You were travelling in the States?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" really the only notable feature about the thing." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few