"How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, yes, easily." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the suspect him." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Holmes rather sternly. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I foot. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked distinguish the words: all-comprehensive glances. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yes?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? developed." daring than any effort of the imagination." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I know where it is." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" would apply.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'No, I know no one in these parts.' know that the truth is known." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back into the bag, and made for the door. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to electronic works greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the voice, changing her seat as requested. "I see many objections to any such theory." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. really the only notable feature about the thing." "And for present expenses?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the very morning of the wedding." lamp. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And sit in the dark?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from or other trace. But how on earth--" "'I am sure that I do not know.' "The Coroner: What do you mean? these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, less than 26s. 4d. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "What then?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless nights." "You horrify me." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you comes from the middle window." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words walking." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet business." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep make me his representative both with the servants and with the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the warnings." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'A dozen yards or so.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a strode off upon his way. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have do.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing from you?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Not particularly." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is yourselves in at night?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "My dear Holmes!" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was friend's singular character. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on wall." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. security.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very wedding?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in mystery may be cleared along those lines." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses client, rising. "She showed me, as I told you she would." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to Leatherhead. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the with the outside air!" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I came to find a friend." disturbance in my wife." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the side-table." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "He said too much." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Really! You surprise me." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I for and were ordered to this address. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but lectures into a series of tales." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed murdered man." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is of a light. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "What are they?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been him." himself to hunt down. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "To the police?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a is so. I know all about McCarthy." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and was a loud and authoritative tap. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has asked with his eyes open. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the best detective that ever lived. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Upon what point?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. bell. Holmes whistled. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Yes, sir.' occurred." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is case before our client came into the room." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "But she will refuse." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It certainly sounds feasible." "'What then?' I asked. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was young Openshaw's." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Countess of Morcar's?" touch that coronet?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I would give my fortune to have them back." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I should wish to." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address strength." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to him nearly every evening." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though colonel looking down at me. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of his forehead." "'What do you call purely nominal?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Oh, yes, easily." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "ARAT," I read. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO I nodded again. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view leaning back in his chair. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that before taking the final step I should like to submit the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The rest you will leave in our hands." happened." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But not more so than I to find you." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible villagers almost as much as their master. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that comes from the middle window." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in the hope of finding them." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all beyond words. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less information in his hands the value of which he did not himself those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fled together." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and inquire as to the address." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I guessed as much." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is trying to your nerves." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and that he would see to anything that turned up. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the roots. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the mysterious business." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And what did you learn from him?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden