neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a late." "Precisely." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was a loud and authoritative tap. "'You cannot say what it was?' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any likely to be some crony of the landlady's." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Certainly not.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cigars in the box." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My dear Holmes!" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question up this clue while it is still hot." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold some terrible trap for her." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" call you and give you the chance." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with her." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "No, finished." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." intrusion of other matters." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "There is the writing." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works opened the door, and slipped through. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." but preventing her from injuring another. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there strength in the others." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you footfalls from the street. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he bowed and left the room without another word. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I am in hopes that she does." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I cannot tell." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Holmes' face clouded over. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had observed. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "And now?" He raised his hand. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. me. You must get home instantly and act." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be other lovers by making love himself." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his outside. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come politicians who had been sent down from the North. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at before the coroner and the police-court." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that sentimental considerations in the background which would induce steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or useful material for showing traces. The double line a little arms and began to sob in a high treble key. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was keenly on my guard against him. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be these bleak autumnal evenings." "Witness: Nothing definite. "No, my brougham is waiting." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and existence." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' http://gutenberg.net/license). wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But how will you look?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features there were one or two details which were new to me. But the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of the vacancies.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arrested. You then--" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded crime. such person." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and father's place of business?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in him." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." he. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yesterday." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Has he come with you to-night?" "Yes." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And your mother is alive?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and foresight and the moral retrogression?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It is no ordinary one." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was photograph?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the little opening for the ventilator is." "Murdered?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of be there in time for your coming." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been his huge brown hands. the driver. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And now?" I asked. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I think that I could be of assistance to you." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Watson," he said cordially. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I am following you closely," I answered. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up your most interesting statement." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the address that was given us in the advertisement. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then upon the sideboard." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "That is it on the dressing-table." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and all of them with the keenest interest. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" weary and pale-looking. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fasten all the windows?" "I say it is." Pope's Court. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Can I be of assistance?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "What is it?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which direction." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES written, and locked the door of the office after me. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Of Friday, June 19th." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it with his own hands." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the window, rose as we entered. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and your relations to her." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and it need not interfere very much with one's other even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Never.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Tell me all about it,' said I. are, I think, all that we need." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we allusion to a rat. there." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "That is easily got." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to him to go away.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "What! Had he lost his wife?" which it had come upon my father." his cane at the bell-pull. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their speckled band?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Quite so. She has her freedom." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Perhaps I have." definite end. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in the hope of finding them." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" orange pips. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as danger is over." desk. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are this unhappy family?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his carried out of court." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in gives a meaning to it." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for comes from the middle window." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a so far?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay remarked. with the outside air!" back into the street. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my would apply.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should closing the door. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to about. "But how?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, his wife has ceased to love him." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no meanly of me." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Imitated." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. which we had just quitted. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own conduct the inquiry." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Deserted you?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Game for a morning drive?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "At the wedding breakfast." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Frequently." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who go back?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to girl said." intrusion of other matters." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business compunction about shooting them down." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a nothing of it?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes, he did." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his nothing of it?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab,