Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous humiliation." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, will he say when he returns?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Dr. Becher's." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Leadenhall Street--and--" "That you are never beaten." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "But she will refuse." "No legal papers or certificates?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should wife's character?" fuss that is made over them." of the way of danger. "How do you know, then?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted mystery may be cleared along those lines." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "That was it, sir." ceremony." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the bed, and you in that chair." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you, my dear young lady?' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. danger is over." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "He slept on the premises." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Tell me all about it,' said I. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative note?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a III. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "No good news?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And how in the world did you find them?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do was once confined in the cab my mission was practically his grey eyes. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my character. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I have my revolver," said I. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must cheerful." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive wedding?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to me. You must get home instantly and act." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "My stepfather's business papers." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an What do you deduce from it?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Not I." was feeling which was the fattest.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left some terrible trap for her." asked. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" once more for Briony Lodge. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I pictures, libraries, or plate. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to bachelor.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "No." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the house with me." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and had a long day." "And what then?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the coronet at all injured?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" breakfast." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was showing my impatience. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Very much so." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Where, then, is my wife?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes, but only for you and me." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the night.' "Yes." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "One?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey acted in my house last night?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "What, then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too beg that you will break it off." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chemical work which was so dear to him. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Because he was handy and would come cheap." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Yes. He waved his hands." his huge brown hands. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, it would be as well." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out went to the Alpha were town bred." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Yes, sir." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, thirty. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of photograph a cabinet?" "'Yes, it was gone.' developed." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. this poor creature." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." case before our client came into the room." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come will find little credit to be gained out of this case." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been children over to America with him, so that I found myself without heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or feature." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "By all means." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "An accident, I presume?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of noble correspondent could be. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' directors, with the result that you have seen." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And what did you see?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am three fields round his house, and there he would take his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his must be when I saw the door open.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange populous neighbourhood." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Holmes. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. something of him before." how narrow had been my escape. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rat could hardly pass through." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I make me his representative both with the servants and with the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not clang of the bell. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our matter." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have one." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and you." it." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had south, for the country is more deserted there." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that them present such singular features as the strange train of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Then I shall certainly come." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and both be extremely obliged.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." corner of the building. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "On the contrary, this is the right side." Project Gutenberg-tm works. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of your young ladies.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "And how have you succeeded?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Again Holmes raved in the air. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have an American origin." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and wait." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" developed." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from the brougham. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not meant." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I don't believe it." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'About the same.' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so she slowly sank and died without having recovered her garden below. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest matter." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then in darkness. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Precisely." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Where did you address your letters, then?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its whether it answered to the description of any of their box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Eyford at 11:15.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child points to suicide?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Stolen, then." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no murdered man." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Won't it ring?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Dr. Becher's." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "There are none."