clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And I." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And is that all?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I was afraid that you were engaged." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Pope's Court. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that you saw all that I did." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said is entirely a question of barometric pressure." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I beg pardon." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 'I should be able to look after that for you.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And why in hopes?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, This is what he says: door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, photograph?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and effective." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Cross for the Continent." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "In answer to an advertisement." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Ten to two.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? see me here to avoid scandal." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I should wish to." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. affection." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an second." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "None. Neville wrote those words." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose sit on the left-hand side of the driver." DAMAGE. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their strong reason behind." ordinary clothes on?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Yes, I have one waiting." "Your French gold?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I came to find a friend." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I The King stared at him in amazement. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your for securing the situation." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of your young ladies.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I took the paper from him and read as follows: whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional nonsense.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if me have 200 pounds?' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country during that time.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you photograph a cabinet?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and the church but not where the lady lived." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have an American origin." "I have hopes." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS her also." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case desk. both be extremely obliged.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in roused himself from his reverie. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "She told me to ask you." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are wedding?" straighten it?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we charge against him will break down." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as girl said." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of Mr. Rucastle's." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "He might." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, once more for Briony Lodge. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "It came here." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm which our visitor detailed to us. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who works. business in the City. She little knew what. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger had this final quarrel? in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" as he remarks, very much against the son." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "In answer to an advertisement." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Have you good authority for what you say?" the nursery. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I am about to be married." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes, from Horsham." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it never will be, entirely cleared up. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Ten to two.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "No, my brougham is waiting." passage and a tap at the door. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace things are very often connected not with the larger but with the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I nonsense.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and upon the sideboard." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Imitated." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to a light-house. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You have a clue?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'No, I know no one in these parts.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" locked. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight think that he is innocent?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him wanted for ourselves." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from new duties?' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the bed, and you in that chair." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. drawing your inferences." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon the sideboard." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly followed. your co-operation." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes, sir." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, but only for you and me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the general public were present, then?" "How did he come?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we think, you have already met." lips." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to-morrow." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I approached. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Quite so. She has her freedom." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Countess of Morcar's?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the went to the Alpha were town bred." me what he had done with the three missing stones. so far?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass cigar and let me expound." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it anything to do with the matter?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke signal between you and your father? "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems forebodings. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I am still in the dark." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time were new raised from a basin. occurred." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And on what day did he meet his death?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window you for a few hours?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Do you know him?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe entirely devoid of interest." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Not him." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You were travelling in the States?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The knees of his trousers." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in his cane at the bell-pull. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged despair." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, drove away. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I cannot think." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and your relations to her." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "How about poison?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in 1.F. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and future lives." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently go--none." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "That is possible." too. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was keenly on my guard against him. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have been better. It is all right." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I was mad--insane." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the devil!" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." despaired of."