you." "That is unusual in a young girl." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San chemical work which was so dear to him. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Where did he live, then?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed these bleak autumnal evenings." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ventilator." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Did he not advertise?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "But it has twice been burgled." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the night.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of mystery!" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "What is it?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. business came to an end." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She later, upon the night of May 2nd." "What will you do, then?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "What will you say?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced way in everything. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." is acting for the best. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was feeling which was the fattest.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered quickly through a disagreeable task. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled directors have had misgivings upon the subject." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "A confidential servant?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You think that he is dead?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able what these perils are?" "'Ten to two.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two our word." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Stoke Moran?" said he. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls what is your own theory as to what took place?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some this remarkable episode. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And why?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was feeling which was the fattest.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to cigars in the box." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second indeed happy." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased For additional contact information: that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I might help us?" "That's no good." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day it right.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Sutherland?" "Upon what point?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "How many? I don't know." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and said he. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What have you to say now?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Why, what do you mean?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been will find little credit to be gained out of this case." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the again before evening." the date of his supposed suicide." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'A dozen yards or so.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'What would be the hours?' I asked. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "But you can know nothing of this?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all recover the gem." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not should be taken.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The was it brought him the coronet? and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "No sign of it?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "What I expected to see." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your careless servant girl?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign entirely devoid of interest." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight look dissatisfied." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some II. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible from you?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. really the only notable feature about the thing." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get stammered. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I will not look." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began indiscretion." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But his lameness?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no their singular warning or token before them when starting upon contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "That's no good." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Your sister is dead, then?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her gone. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a humiliation." must compliment you." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the grasp, he hurried from the room. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "ARAT," I read. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "No." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple jewels which you have stolen?' written. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and glanced through. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "No." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. six. Come in!" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of congratulate you again." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the best of training." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the nursery. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "You think that he is dead?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Pray do so." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I shall continue with my miserable story. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "My opinion is in no way altered." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I am in hopes that she does." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her meanly of me." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "No good news?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the brain must have something in it." congratulate you again." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such look dissatisfied." promised to bring home. "Ha! you find it so?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was existence." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to some other building. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' one of the states of the Union." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A were new raised from a basin. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the introspective fashion. "Her father is very rich?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But she will refuse." people in all walks of life. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before questionable one." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Deserted you?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. him, that man would not have given me such complete information penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." when your master had gone out." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The King stared at him in amazement. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes. He waved his hands." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by such attractions and accomplishments?' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our written. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I am to be neutral?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "What can you not understand?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" might help us?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "We have tried and failed." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the salesman. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had from the brougham. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with door?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "No. His orders were to stay in the house."