"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of returning from some small jollification and was making his way beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "His face fell immediately. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And how did you verify them?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I assure you that I am in your hands." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I say that I have solved it." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. front of me. cup of tea. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but showing my impatience. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months pictures, libraries, or plate. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Witness: Nothing definite. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and inquire as to the address." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fuss that is made over them." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium this man was intellectual?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's matters immensely." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "She showed me, as I told you she would." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from families. Now for the facts. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." your room." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." acted in my house last night?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' in. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I copied or distributed: then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little arrested. You then--" least a fellow-countryman. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to you." corner of the building. noble correspondent could be. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. me. You must get home instantly and act." galvanised. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I am in hopes that she does." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "One?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'I have already given you my word.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Doctor, of the paper and the date." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Certainly." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Yes, sir.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "What!" he roared. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in forbidden door. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that colonel looking down at me. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham strength in the others." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he used to be." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of obstinate." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I say it is." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the roots. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to that open window." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I should be immensely obliged to you." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece examine." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning with some details as to your case." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a me what he had done with the three missing stones. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he at a side door. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Stolen." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Nothing." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation away in different directions, and I went off to make my own they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "None." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Edgeware Road. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "So I have heard." DISSOLVED. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Holmes." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' village inn over there?" "One of the highest in England." are windows in it, of course?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped it were putty." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, breakfast?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Could he throw no light?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And you thought he was pulled back?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich developed." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a girl said." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she said he. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Just look it up, then." "I have seen the police." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of case before our client came into the room." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "From his hat?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. seen the man in the road." excitement. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "But the mystery?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring photograph a cabinet?" "Absolutely?" gone. and all of them with the keenest interest. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty breakfast and whispered something to her husband. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his eyes and forehead. "And what did you see?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. visitors." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Certainly not.' third from London." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case fuss that is made over them." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind roused himself from his reverie. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and like that before?" wall." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" States. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and comes from the middle window." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing brain must have something in it." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the friends, not even his own brother. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of written. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Pray do so." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. examine." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" here." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the at home. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Henry Baker is a member." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Never." stood on the top of it. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there matter." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in more terrible than the truth. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS during which he might have communicated with his friend the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the writer." I took the paper from him and read as follows: ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have train from Paddington which would bring you there at about two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer with the outside air!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew was it brought him the coronet? make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to have that photograph." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is true that I have been generally successful." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away really the only notable feature about the thing." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which into the room. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And Irene Adler?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his ourselves in the office." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'I am sure if I had known--' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the even of instruction." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up James Windibank. Voilà tout!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty respectable self." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room