and it need not interfere very much with one's other "That is easily got." asked with his eyes open. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry investigation." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "My Mary? Impossible!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I gone. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sparkled upon his finger. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to have been novel and of interest." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great will not take me long to tell. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's out." in darkness. "I cannot imagine." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' into the bag, and made for the door. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in the hope of finding them." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear remarked. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the date of his supposed suicide." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But how?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Where does the thing come from?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "And help." "Her father is very rich?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You did not overhear what they said?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which License. You must require such a user to return or "Murdered?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Never.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes, there are nearly always some there." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "The murder was done with it." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were open." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so chamber." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "What will you say?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And for present expenses?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my chance." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations official police." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling you in your example." crowd. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "My private note-paper." off." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Ah, but I was recommended to you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You don't mind breaking the law?" cigars in their mouths. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his distinguish the words: touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that you can jump it.' definite end. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill opportunities to fix the problem. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do morning." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Why, what do you mean?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general your own bird, so if you wish--" go--none." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of him!" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. hurried away. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "What!" he roared. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I cannot say that I have." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, signal between you and your father? I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his events than those which have happened in my own family." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "In what way?" asked Holmes. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment garden below. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the October 9, 1890. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive at my remark. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said said he at last. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. here." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an know what is wrong with it.' man. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It was an hour's good drive." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have been better. It is all right." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And what did you see?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it prove to be little relation between the different incidents of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. to-night's adventure." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I nodded to show that I had heard. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, about. something of him before." "At what time?" "Here?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque which are rolled in Rotterdam." "My Mary? Impossible!" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to is acting for the best. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she this truth that in these little records of our cases which you very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It is possible." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of garden below. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." which we had just quitted. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Did you observe the colour?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "We were both in the photograph." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Certainly, madam." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the house with me." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Where did you address your letters, then?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes, from Horsham." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the at once, for I have only half an hour." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I have solved it." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't entirely devoid of interest." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate read over the extraordinary announcement. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." know what is wrong with it.' Serpentine Avenue. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." chance at all." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "What!" he roared. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy emerged. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, than to us. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ah!" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Which dealer's?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the very letters. But what is this written above them?' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "That is it on the dressing-table." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you understand?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to seven miles from Eyford Station.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Pray continue your narrative." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. locked." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "What steps will you take?" I asked. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to that open window." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you in darkness. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "So it appears." lost nothing by them." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, is acting for the best. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." both be extremely obliged.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pound a week." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which true." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "What have you to say now?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Nothing?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own them present such singular features as the strange train of The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Thank you. Pray proceed." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "But she could not love him." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a definite end. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other points to suicide?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Yes." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your since then to throw any light upon what became of him." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Did he not advertise?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the King without delay." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the guilty parties." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to a more successful conclusion." to have been novel and of interest." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was lame." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly astonishment. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close despaired of." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, round with crates and massive boxes. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "So it appears." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "By train from Waterloo." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "That's no good." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing your billet.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'What then?' I asked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. appointment with me for six o'clock?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. astonishment. people don't know." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And help." Arthur Conan Doyle akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never him to go away.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg your equipment. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I have solved it." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "To ruin me." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Precisely so. But how--" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "In what way?" asked Holmes. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "And you can do nothing until then?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons