them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of locked. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens hour." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I would give my fortune to have them back." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' figure." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give over with notes and figures. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Oh, the cause is excellent!" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "What then?" stammered. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the himself. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Then you may entirely rely on me." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still face and glided from the room. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A room. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No, thank goodness, she did not." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "What I expected to see." chair. "No, I had a dozen." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off cigar and let me expound." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Lee, in the county of Kent." 1.F. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "He might." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of it with the greatest attention. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little death." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in a friendly supper." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "But how did you gain them?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the disappearance of these gems?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return without a word or a look. drawing your inferences." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the devil!" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of Fenchurch Street." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "She will not sell." his face. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but results." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I spare." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I than to us. gone. closing the door. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my side. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Count Von Kramm." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I nodded to show that I had heard. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have over here." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in giving me time to thank him. politicians who had been sent down from the North. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after trying to your nerves." "Entirely." easy-going way." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'There is a drive, then?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and papers must be those that are destroyed.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a very grave face. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the heavy and sharp instrument." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "You don't mind breaking the law?" know that the truth is known." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Your presence might be invaluable." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fasten all the windows?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent here." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "10th. John Swain cleared. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a third from London." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a any." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a see me here to avoid scandal." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil power." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window furiously. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that said I. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'I am sure that I do not know.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I am all attention, madam." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Well, but China?" "What will you say?" the room while you explain this matter?" business?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of matter." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. any little problem which you may submit to me." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at awkward doing business with an alias." "Was your sister dressed?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Again Holmes raved in the air. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." long narrative. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. intrusion of other matters." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign writing, and yet I know it well." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Holmes, the busybody!" room had already been engaged for us. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several brought there to personate someone, and the real person is am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position key turn in the lock." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of breakfast." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and about here speaks of his kindness to him." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know where we are going." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to Leatherhead. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dear old homesteads?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged together. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "But his left-handedness." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Countess of Morcar's?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I emerged. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin amused." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, several quiet little villages up there." "I think that it is very probable." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third dramatic, in fact." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Dirty?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fled together." detained." "How did he come?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the are, and they are waiting for us." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret less than 26s. 4d. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all with you?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and mystery." "Then how many are there?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran brain must have something in it." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Quite sure, dad.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Certainly, madam." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Heh?' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Yes, I promise.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I was sure that I might rely on you." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It looks newer than the other things?" "I never have." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "She told me to ask you." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then the page we have seen--" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Yes, sir.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I house for five minutes.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about over here." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the learned something! Where are the gems?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a morning." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Eyford." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you carried out of court." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, affair. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between into the bag, and made for the door. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stood on the top of it. name is different." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. detective. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And is that all?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the within hail.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And how did he make his money?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass during the last few years, and there are many noble families to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "A greater distance to travel." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Here?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his eyes and forehead. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "He said that you could solve anything." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Nothing." I have it here in my museum." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." forehead. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and his wife has ceased to love him." important." "It surprised me." any." case before our client came into the room." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms