coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation even of instruction." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "How did you deduce the select?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. obstinate." companion. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you congenial hunt. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Heh?' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been photograph?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I should like to see him very much." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good forehead. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I see no marks." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret villagers almost as much as their master. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me rooms." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his highly," said Holmes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family matters immensely." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the bottom.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you." people in all walks of life. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us young Openshaw's." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," fled together." straighten it?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and glanced through. "I don't say that. Perhaps." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "He slept on the premises." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness occupations.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who John Swain, of St. Augustine. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, as he remarks, very much against the son." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he interest. They are important, you understand, without being October 9, 1890. presented more singular features than that which was associated stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, meanly of me." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unclasping of his long thin hands. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a chair. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross triumphant cloud from his cigarette. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and delighted to hear it," he said. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some distinguish the words: in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then I shall certainly come." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's read it out to me." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in all that?" do." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "The knees of his trousers." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. any little problem which you may submit to me." the station." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm know all about it," he snarled. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "By train from Waterloo." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "When did it break out?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the is so. I know all about McCarthy." it." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Yes." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper foresight and the moral retrogression?" remarked. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel families. Now for the facts. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from read over the extraordinary announcement. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must ran thus: entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "But I am all in the dark." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Was she in good spirits?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "How did you deduce the select?" "If I can be of use." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in could not have written that. It is the German who is so months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is my special province." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we recover the gem." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It is no ordinary one." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "There is the writing." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do discontent upon his features. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They are typewritten," I remarked. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they read it out to me." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after bird of prey. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg appeared upon the scene." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in people don't know." "Yes." "And from a noble client?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered horse could go." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him cost them two and thirty pounds." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to that open window." "I never have." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck certainly do as you advise." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No." I held the little printed slip to the light. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the them?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "How often?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my not fit the lock." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "From his hat?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. she to prove their authenticity?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "But he might be a bachelor." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" row." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to a more successful conclusion." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you like that before?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I think it very unlikely." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "But not more so than I to find you." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us weapon." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "That was it, sir." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "There are none." might help us?" lost nothing by them." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "By no means." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "It is his hat." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the three of the beryls in it, was missing. indeed happy." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Holmes. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, him, that man would not have given me such complete information at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything ceremony." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of call for it in person on Monday morning.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." better grown goose." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'About the same.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, awkward doing business with an alias." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "And it is--" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We placed his cuttings. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such standing smiling on the door-step. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which new duties?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon only touch the interest." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my meant it for the best. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Perhaps we may make them less so." "To an English lawyer named Norton." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that letters?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "To ruin me." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "The murder was done with it." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'I am sure if I had known--' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, door?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a never came back." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled depend upon my doing so.' careless servant girl?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My private note-paper." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a becomes even more simple." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, it is a possible supposition." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner