mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "VIOLET HUNTER." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You think that he is dead?" villagers almost as much as their master. the general public were present, then?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a correct than the official force." is four-and-twenty." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'It is locked up,' I answered. depend upon your compliance." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You will not go there first?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "That sounds a little paradoxical." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Always." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "No." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is fait accompli?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Leadenhall Street--and--" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." in. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Have you good authority for what you say?" of." said he. "A greater distance to travel." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that you saw all that I did." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the devil!" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. village inn over there?" "It is very clear." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my in his hands." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Then I do not see the point." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I have solved it." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed strong reason behind." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which province." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning me what he had done with the three missing stones. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "So it appears." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No legal papers or certificates?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "It is solved." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bill, which interests me deeply." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a nonsense.' "And Miss Sutherland?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Will you go?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I do." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Very. But will he see it?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the side-table." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his father's place of business?" nothing of it?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I was sure that I might rely on you." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I nodded again. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one nothing of it?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I was sure that I might rely on you." "But we can't all be." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which we had just quitted. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could open." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I success. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Get out!" said he. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an some water from a caraffe. Does that suggest anything?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled room. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." goes." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of him!" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. trying to your nerves." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Yes?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "9th. McCauley cleared. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of campaign. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation fear." head. So long, then!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency weary and pale-looking. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion other means.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And how?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time empty. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect triumphant cloud from his cigarette. get her out of the way." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest make me his representative both with the servants and with the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle voice, changing her seat as requested. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to it right.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pressing in one house as in another. "What can it mean?" I gasped. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You have carte blanche." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town some mystery and the punishment of some crime." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. definite end. through." helping a boy to put up the shutters. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But the mystery?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "That was it, sir." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What!" he roared. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter coat-tails." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You don't mind breaking the law?" IS explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such hour." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all off." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to fat-encircled eyes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as been shamefully used." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "At the wedding breakfast." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What of the rat, then?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Yes." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to colour had been driven from his face. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet wedding?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, front of me. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sufficient punishment." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive foresight and the moral retrogression?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And I say east," said my patient. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a paper in the air. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. round with crates and massive boxes. "Come in!" said he. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the your room." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was tightly behind him. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Texas, I think." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which face and glided from the room. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Why, what do you mean?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in weighed down with some great anxiety. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the when you have done it." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I shall communicate with you." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be she used." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What do you make of that, Watson?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they bird of prey. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be your co-operation." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. are, I think, all that we need." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, second window is the one that I jumped from." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you there when the Rucastles went away." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I be there in time for your coming." night.' said he. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." already referred to. burst out into a roar of laughter. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which we had just quitted. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her McCarthy's innocence. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and