was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, back to my heart. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Farm upon the left." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "When did it break out?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fait accompli?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was him!" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small derbies." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes, from Horsham." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to garden below. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "One of the highest in England." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in companion quietly. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock house for five minutes.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And the murderer?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, once more. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that you saw all that I did." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of his shoulders. detained." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "That is not always so easy." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa read it out to me." redistribution. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sholtos." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tension within him. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shoulder; "he's all right." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and effective." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "It is very kind of you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Chief Executive and Director and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lost his Christmas dinner." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his face. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "But what is it you wish?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Foundation horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that at my own good fortune. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' out of this horrible affair." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." hard-headed British jury." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And how did he make his money?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector very morning of my second wedding." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Stolen." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since said he, "my real name is James Ryder." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." locked." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "And what did you see?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Of Friday, June 19th." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." presume?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he nonsense.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "No sign of it?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "How can you tell that?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "But his left-handedness." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of me. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as business in the City. She little knew what. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it with his own hands." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards families. Now for the facts. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well, some hundreds of times." and the church but not where the lady lived." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and row." "No legal papers or certificates?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "No." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in this way: Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the fait accompli?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I south, for the country is more deserted there." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out gone. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon been shamefully used." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Perhaps I have." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "None. Neville wrote those words." cigar and let me expound." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Not in the least." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his cane at the bell-pull. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly society." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his matter over." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as case before our client came into the room." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "My dear Holmes!" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ways including including checks, online payments and credit card other, as fresh and trim as possible. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Munro.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had man. I know him from the photograph." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It might help us?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light asked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and the whole place is in a blaze." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "They are typewritten," I remarked. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant have an American origin." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Well, but China?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, closing the door. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it be best to do. charge against him will break down." go back?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Where, then?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in true." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the written, and locked the door of the office after me. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and mysterious business." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his visitors." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I should be immensely obliged to you." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'And the work?' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Which are?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning excitement. I nodded to show that I had heard. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Oh, no.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the gentleman's clothes. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ah!" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in questionable one." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to-night?" I asked. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "The murder was done with it." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate he bowed and left the room without another word. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and shall probably return to London by the evening train." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I don't believe it." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. looking up at the numbers of the houses." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to have not had my rubber." noble correspondent could be. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "That is easily got." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob not come at once?" unkempt, staring out at me. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "A thing like a cleaver," said he. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But his lameness?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Bought." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and written. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from posted to-day." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking him to go away.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It is possible." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of wedding?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Ah, but I was recommended to you." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "But how did you gain them?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Certainly." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the house with me." dates and names. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. have accepted such a situation. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." appeal." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Yes, sir.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And why?" the coronet in his hand?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: note?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Young McCarthy must be got off, however."