Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Dark enough and sinister enough." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The Cedars?" mysterious business." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I cannot tell." whatever might befall. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I have come for advice." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and have this put in the evening papers." security.' "How did that help you?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Upon what point?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, you want, then?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Who was the criminal, then?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he that threaten you." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Nearly eleven." "Bought." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those definite end. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk burst into a hearty fit of laughter. noting anything else of interest. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend me what he had done with the three missing stones. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Well, it is a possible supposition." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come see me here to avoid scandal." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "None." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself call for protection in the marriage market, for the present interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, your own bird, so if you wish--" knowledge of the world." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS vague figure huddled up in the darkness. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then as he remarks, very much against the son." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You think so, too?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading go from here to the Strand." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, my little problems." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the station." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Pray be precise as to details," said he. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." past. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Very murderous indeed." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a investigation." "But of what society?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am distance from the station, and there we found the young lady depend upon your compliance." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional voice. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the salesman. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then I shall certainly come." "How on earth--" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It came here." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It certainly sounds feasible." you." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters which our visitor detailed to us. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what I may call a really hard day's work." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their vanished into the darkness. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Nothing." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. overpowering excitement and concern. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough over with notes and figures. approach us with offers to donate. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. really the only notable feature about the thing." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "No." with her." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our relief. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting kindly on the shoulder. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as he folded up the epistle. this as likely?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied from the brougham. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, written. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even quickly through a disagreeable task. "And I to find an enemy." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of your young ladies.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated tassel actually lying upon the pillow. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." It may be so in this case, also." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Very. But will he see it?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. attention." hurried away. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he The King stared at him in amazement. hurried by. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hopeless attempt at recovering them." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Did you become engaged then?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round just ask you whether you had heard it.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, all." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 obstinate." know that the truth is known." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." would apply.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Well, it is a possible supposition." October 9, 1890. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right entirely devoid of interest." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. handed it to him. "That sounds a little paradoxical." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met never came back." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses redistribution. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal papers must be those that are destroyed.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to a more successful conclusion." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Have you it here?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did begun to whiten, even as mine has." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. allusion to a rat. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I cannot tell." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce highroad, where all traces were lost. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk would then never go into court at all." views." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the up this clue while it is still hot." "But I have heard all that you have heard." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, His name is Francis Prosper." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, upon the sideboard." stammered. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes against a man in the prime of life?" "Certainly." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You horrify me!" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But until night should bring an explanation. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of clang of the bell. "Precisely so. But how--" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in a friendly supper." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was memory. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as locked." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I business at Coburg Square is serious." six. Come in!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' union?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in him." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some stood on the top of it. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I will try. What is it?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two overpowering excitement and concern. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive a few minutes he said that it would be all right. directly by questioning you." nothing with him." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that locked. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Yes." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a residence of the great financier. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as was the fact that his father should, according to his account, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and not come at once?" "No, my brougham is waiting." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly humiliation." I nodded to show that I had heard. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the little opening for the ventilator is." of a light. little trying to do so much typewriting?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more again." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and the whole place is in a blaze." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard interested in these little problems, and since you are good once more. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Sutherland?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Pope's Court. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in him." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Count Von Kramm." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "No good news?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your suddenly upon us." depend upon your compliance." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Project Gutenberg-tm works. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You have but to name it." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the derbies." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in as noiselessly as she had come. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," matters immensely." bears upon the case?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Come in!" said Holmes. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Certainly,' I answered. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'What, the red-headed man?' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the tragedy. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped direction." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And coat-tails." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar once more for Briony Lodge. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down you found me to-night--and running through the front room she aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "She showed me, as I told you she would." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Eh? What was that?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to that I may have something better before very many minutes are "But your client--" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most DISSOLVED.