should be taken.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I promise," said Holmes. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I am armed." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, were unconscious?" friends, not even his own brother. goes." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" standing smiling on the door-step. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. drove away. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that call you and give you the chance." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I have come for advice." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "No, I am descending." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that call it cruel." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Certainly." open." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Will you go?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out death." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they writers could invent nothing more crude." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which situation." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were there were so many in the whole country as were brought together article?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the general public were present, then?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and do." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the is so. I know all about McCarthy." morning." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the so.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And I." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Nothing." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." as he remarks, very much against the son." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, your bag." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall one's self under obligations.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The Cedars?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No there." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil wanted for ourselves." "I am about to be married." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I maiden herself was most instructive." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and his wife has ceased to love him." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of his shoulders. place no limit on the sum I may draw." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Very truly yours, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for photograph?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Farm upon the left." enough to aid us in our search." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "It missed him, then?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical humiliation." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And it is--" a monotonous occupation." the matter?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "No." pressing in one house as in another. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. there!' There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival call you and give you the chance." miles off. "Not in a good cause." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I shall most certainly do so." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ confronted him. "No." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon habit of advancing money.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. like gravel from a pit.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tension within him. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time drawing your inferences." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And your mother is alive?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built It may be so in this case, also." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to a more successful conclusion." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to me. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking past. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to as noiselessly as she had come. brain must have something in it." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I was sure that I might rely on you." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bearing upon the case." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds cause to be." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "But how?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then I am your man." "My private note-paper." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the IS scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. read over the extraordinary announcement. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "By no means." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the when you have done it." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior clang of the bell. the inquest, and which are worth considering." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And what did you learn from him?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is advice." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the colour had been driven from his face. you in your example." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, once more to my work. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was see me here to avoid scandal." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Perhaps I have." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That is unusual in a young girl." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" my special province." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his States. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "We have tried and failed." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Precisely so. But how--" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely it? Did I buy the geese off you?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I am in hopes that she does." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I shall be delighted." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the shall use the carriage to-night." Street. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "My opinion is in no way altered." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow business." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought not within a twentieth part of the market price." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Leadenhall Street--and--" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I say it is." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his head. So long, then!" vault. anything to do with the matter?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance families. Now for the facts. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man gone before you can get him to hospital." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know memory. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "What then?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, address. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons off." the loss of it. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his upon the white wrist. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are security.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It looks newer than the other things?" chill to my heart. my room." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When question. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "The vanishing of the lady." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently became a certainty. be. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I have a cab outside." during that time.' ran thus: employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the more solid." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' definite end. a very grave face. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was like gravel from a pit.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I open." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I think that it is very probable." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "But it has twice been burgled." "And when will you call?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "That is possible." "It must be recovered." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'And what salary do you ask?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "No." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sufficient punishment." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a grasp, he hurried from the room. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and answered with a sidelong glance. nothing of it?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as waste of energy." I. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of look upon these things in a different way." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Chief Executive and Director "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. promised to bring home. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Do you go out much in society?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or helping a boy to put up the shutters. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not wife's character?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. grasp, he hurried from the room. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the never came back." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door,