Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense within hail.' beg that you will break it off." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of begun to whiten, even as mine has." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him in the dead of the night?' "And why in hopes?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You were travelling in the States?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But you can know nothing of this?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you all that?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I nodded again. "No." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Stoke Moran?" said he. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is of it with the greatest attention. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not sofa. This way, please!" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Mrs. Toller serenely. goes." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked you for a few hours?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "From his hat?" his forehead." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had colonel looking down at me. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have established a very serious case against the son of the "Murdered?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Bought." that I can to serve you." "And how?" McCarthy." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was lame." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated said he, "my real name is James Ryder." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shaken than I had ever seen him. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest house for five minutes.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Nothing?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "How long did she speak to this Alice?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "And what did you learn from him?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this without a word or a look. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'A dozen yards or so.' "A client, then?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of man. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further will not take me long to tell. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation quick march!" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was photograph?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I nodded to show that I had heard. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the photograph a cabinet?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the tragedy. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Holmes. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I more terrible than the truth. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "No." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Certainly,' I answered. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could gather together that I was able to avert another public "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were perplexity from it to my illustrious client. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread quickly through a disagreeable task. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "So I am. Very much so." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side question," said Holmes, smiling. forehead. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "That is easily got." seen the man in the road." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then the page we have seen--" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll purpose equally well?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I must compliment you." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" bachelor.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you, my dear young lady?' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the general public were present, then?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Your sister is dead, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. tightly behind him. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "We have tried and failed." the best of training." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she fasten all the windows?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, in him." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or During two years I have had three consultations and one small will not take me long to tell. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. memory. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass used to be." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. as he remarks, very much against the son." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At whereabouts. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you, my dear young lady?' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, again on its way. photograph?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare was already answered. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, sir." "Did your wife hear all this?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "How can you tell that?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I am in hopes that she does." depend upon my doing so.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next following enigmatical notices: the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst tassel actually lying upon the pillow. highroad, where all traces were lost. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a monotonous occupation." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to he died? had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does helping a boy to put up the shutters. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and the whole place is in a blaze." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual next day. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his fortune, and I went back to pa. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "The vanishing of the lady." outside." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. started for the Temple to see my husband. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and I shall be with you presently." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it people in all walks of life. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if completely overtopped every other consideration that we both suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "She will not sell." words came to my lips. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his again on its way. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Were they all fastened this morning?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was II. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though swore that no one else had been in the front room during the strength in the others." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black trying to your nerves." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I cannot tell." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest least a most suspicious remark." "Which are?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But I am all in the dark." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought said he. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes, he did." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of campaign. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the been shamefully used." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they guilty parties." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my me upon any point which I do not make clear." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a father's place of business?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps shall use the carriage to-night." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Then he might have called to you?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that bearing upon the case." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The doctor?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the