have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. enter Dr. Roylott's room." most interesting one." "But what will you do?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "BALLARAT." "What is it?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is there in twenty minutes." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not before, for it was considerably after midnight. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' promised to bring home. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But your client--" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door something of him before." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has have had none more fantastic than this." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to daring than any effort of the imagination." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "It is very clear." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Do you go out much in society?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Entirely.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." business came to an end." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Sutherland?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "How did that help you?" the general public were present, then?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "My dear Holmes!" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in this way: Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the station." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy certainly do as you advise." what is your own theory as to what took place?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "No bad?" Does that suggest anything?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the coroner come to?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and himself. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the purpose of examination. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the little opening for the ventilator is." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him to be an active member of the medical profession." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Why that?' I asks. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What then?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "But she will refuse." our word." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not she used." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a you?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can pressing in one house as in another. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Have you it here?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I shall communicate with you." was a loud and authoritative tap. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "We have tried and failed." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Who by?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the house with me." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered observed. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search roused himself from his reverie. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of back into the street. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not occurred." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the address that was given us in the advertisement. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his eyes and forehead. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Which dealer's?' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the morning and make my own way in the world.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and no precautions can guard against." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hour?' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that about here speaks of his kindness to him." strong and stiff." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "No, I am descending." the coronet at all injured?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You did not overhear what they said?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you some place of shelter and let the county police know what has As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "To ruin me." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they where she found matters as described by the last witness. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me neither fascinating nor artistic." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not, dad?" she asked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "What?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a your most interesting statement." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "But how did you gain them?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "A thing like a cleaver," said he. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural would apply.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Very murderous indeed." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Countess of Morcar's?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. new acquaintance to Baker Street. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his forehead." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Pope's Court, Fleet Street." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "What then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I cannot imagine." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, certainly not very gracious." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all gentleman's clothes. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, electronic works up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' your only hope of safety." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Precisely." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and be sorry for having acted so harshly." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the locked. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "What! a murderous attack?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, imbecility!" he cried. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the memory. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It's nothing of the kind." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Imitated." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the in this note: bare slabs of marble. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat frequently gained my first real insight into the character of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "May I see it?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. second window is the one that I jumped from." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Very truly yours, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of bearing upon the case." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found quite distinctive." putting in the horse. money should be paid at once.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "My last client of the sort was a king." and have this put in the evening papers." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss it. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as presume?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Watson," he said cordially. me." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hair?' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then province." hurried by. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. certainly do as you advise." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly results." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And the murderer?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works his huge brown hands. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of quickly through a disagreeable task. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The King of Scandinavia." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope which our visitor detailed to us. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Eh? What was that?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of cigars in their mouths. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Yes, sir.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my amused." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw cause to be." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Not yet." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It is possible." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with you?" "'Where to?' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to some other building. Arthur Conan Doyle suspect him." hard-headed British jury." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." girl said." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a second." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. he bowed and left the room without another word. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is questionable one." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "And who is her maid?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, note?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must beg that you will break it off." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It goes." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this affair. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted crowd. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fact, we may call it conclusive." of Fenchurch Street." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands acted in my house last night?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And how in the world did you find them?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,