cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the meant." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no must compliment you." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. foresight and the moral retrogression?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "How often?" http://gutenberg.net/license). this poor creature." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of campaign. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hard-headed British jury." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which him." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his huge brown hands. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Where could I find him?' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of think you a quite exceptional woman." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously again before evening." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'What do you call purely nominal?' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the Red-headed League." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS where we are going." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I crime. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes, at the mines." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Holmes." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal infinite languor in his face. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Very murderous indeed." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It is solved." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "What steps will you take?" I asked. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of the efforts of the United States government and of the better which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the matter?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. any more." knowledge of the world." "How can you tell that?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was ways of our fellow-men." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." careless servant girl?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the with you alone." whatever might befall. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical he. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A wife's character?" away to you." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You are all wrong." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from writer." "But you can know nothing of this?" been shamefully used." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Then the page we have seen--" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. father's place of business?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook developed." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to roused himself from his reverie. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and here." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "One of his hands." "I cannot say that I have." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." village inn over there?" "I cannot imagine." matter." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of his fortune, and I went back to pa. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which society." "How are you getting on?" morning." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Witness: I must still refuse. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Yes." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than lost nothing by them." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say way: He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it true." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "One of his hands." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the legal crime." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been with you?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Oh, no.' "I fear not." in this way: began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an redistribution. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in your troubles." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would at home. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two best detective that ever lived. "How can you tell that?" Surrey." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Did you observe the colour?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'It is locked up,' I answered. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "From his hat?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her laugh and put his lips to my ear. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might October 9, 1890. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do hands. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that, and I came down." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the window, rose as we entered. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in your own bird, so if you wish--" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Very much so." putting in the horse. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "We have tried and failed." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round matter." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to have that photograph." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to License. You must require such a user to return or what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I was concerned in it." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Dr. Becher's." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. me have 200 pounds?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was already answered. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sound at heart." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "It certainly sounds feasible." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "That you are never beaten." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. me upon any point which I do not make clear." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining works. See paragraph 1.E below. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No." a room. "I am in hopes that she does." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to said I. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & distinguish the words: go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls minor matters until to-morrow." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card knowledge of the world." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I nodded again. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of Mr. Rucastle's." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Whose house is it?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to miles off. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was a perfect sample of the class. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Whose house is it?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No, distinctly professional." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But you can know nothing of this?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the stones. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was grasp, he hurried from the room. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes do.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such His name is Francis Prosper." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever was a loud and authoritative tap. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their bill, which interests me deeply." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. during that time.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you