pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them morning." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my clang of the bell. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And sit in the dark?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his face. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Very good.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to suddenly upon us." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back returning from some small jollification and was making his way along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "9th. McCauley cleared. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "None. Neville wrote those words." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third disturbance in my wife." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That your most interesting statement." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the sufficient punishment." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "And how did you verify them?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the be. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "She will not sell." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Where, then, is my wife?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to-night?' look dissatisfied." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down furiously. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bell. Holmes whistled. "And how?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "In San Francisco, a year ago." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having this man was intellectual?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "When did it break out?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is so. I know all about McCarthy." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I name is different." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to-night's adventure." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a little more before I quite committed myself. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is wanted for ourselves." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Which dealer's?' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of your young ladies.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the writers could invent nothing more crude." this remarkable episode. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, him!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I will not look." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a know all about it," he snarled. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and a shock of very red hair. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "And how did you verify them?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Will you go?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! assist you in forming an opinion." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to-night?" I asked. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes, but only for you and me." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes." off." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat approach us with offers to donate. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all are, I think, all that we need." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you nothing of it?" his wife has ceased to love him." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is strength of mind to control. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were here." you." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. felt the room to be a little close.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those himself to hunt down. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him States. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the second." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the so-precious time, but come!' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The his huge brown hands. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the little opening for the ventilator is." him. into the bag, and made for the door. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes invisible to me," I remarked. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. said I. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in were new raised from a basin. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Pray be precise as to details," said he. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his fortune, and I went back to pa. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." orange pips. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I am about to be married." "And why?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." States. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and http://www.gutenberg.net thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you gbnewby@pglaf.org "'It is locked up,' I answered. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" third from London." washing it down with a long draught of water. in his power. there has been an enclosure here!" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls forehead. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that memory. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with absolutely follow my advice in every respect." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick despaired of." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in name is different." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "No, I am descending." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." new acquaintance to Baker Street. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" them?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" outside. The events in question occurred in the early days of my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to he died? do." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he noble correspondent could be. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I answered that I had not. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her American. Then who could this American be, and why should he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where colour had been driven from his face. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And sit in the dark?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel details should find their way into the papers. Inspector hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I if she died from some sudden fright." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying manager. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "In answer to an advertisement." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always before the coroner and the police-court." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hour?' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." followed. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And who is her maid?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I was afraid that you were engaged." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be through." himself in a perplexing position. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a our word." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of them has the shutters up.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had His smile broadened. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. have I gained?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from not come at once?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I cannot tell." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" opportunities to fix the problem. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so my former friend and companion. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Of Friday, June 19th." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "In what way?" asked Holmes. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I unprofitable." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a an introduction to him?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on what I may call a really hard day's work." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and laid it on the table. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Certainly." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have upon the white wrist. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" house for five minutes.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an pressing in one house as in another. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. What do you deduce from it?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to