"And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "My last client of the sort was a king." "Yes, that is the Crown." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question where we are going." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the coronet at all injured?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. humiliation." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her chance." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the this poor creature." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gigantic client. "None." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and despair." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, business matters.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. may never be exposed to such a temptation." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Holmes' face clouded over. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, 1.E.9. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great goes." the date of his supposed suicide." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'I am sure that I do not know.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, was used.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to congratulate you again." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other very old mansion. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "An accident, I presume?" have established a very serious case against the son of the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Yes.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Not in a good cause." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost this unhappy family?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and handed it to him. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders redistribution. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It surprised me." remarked. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was placed his cuttings. "This photograph!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from train from Paddington which would bring you there at about for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Only as much as we can deduce." "I don't say that. Perhaps." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the weapon." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Nearly eleven." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had deduce something from that?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Witness: I must still refuse. voice. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in this way: Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so certainly do as you advise." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Do you know him?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to up this clue while it is still hot." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little were unconscious?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "How did that help you?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Yes." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave purpose of examination. outbreak?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, conclusions. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger absorbing." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said next day. could gather together that I was able to avert another public possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fat-encircled eyes. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "But of what society?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he charge against him will break down." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave leaning back in his chair. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. evidence," I remarked. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. upon a handsome competence. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite suspect him." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of been with you?" at a side door. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Was she in good spirits?" invisible to me," I remarked. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the call for it in person on Monday morning.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Certainly." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Street. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I his huge brown hands. Watson," he said cordially. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has my little problems." my little problems." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "But she could not love him." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Assizes." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which should have the effect of calling the attention of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I have seen the police." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you place of silver." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my pressing in one house as in another. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir upon the shelf for the interim." "Was he the only applicant?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! business." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The vanishing of the lady." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And how did you find out?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of paper in the air. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "One?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And did you observe any change in her then?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me During two years I have had three consultations and one small exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that you can jump it.' system of imprisonment?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without bell. Holmes whistled. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm approach us with offers to donate. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so be there in time for your coming." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit have accepted such a situation. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then said I. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' name is different." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. breakfast?" quick march!" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'Tell me all about it,' said I. where she found matters as described by the last witness. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" thirty. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing amused." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bearing upon the case." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'I am sure if I had known--' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue said he. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. room?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended your billet.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle but preventing her from injuring another. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." over here." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow States. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save kind enough to tell me what I should do." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Never to return." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. his eyes and forehead. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal shadow pass over his face as I spoke. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." awaited us upon the table. furiously. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It's nothing of the kind." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "He said too much." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is matter." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a License. You must require such a user to return or bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Absolutely?" felt?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad or in danger--" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in During two years I have had three consultations and one small passage and a tap at the door. you." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of drove away. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming papers." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, 11:15.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It is possible." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bird of prey. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I think that it is very probable." not within a twentieth part of the market price." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. least a most suspicious remark." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "My private note-paper." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, it is a possible supposition." into the room. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. one which it was hard to resist. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of the vacancies.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I approached. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that late." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the very old mansion. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole