quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for be.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, point in the dark hollow of his hand. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "When did it break out?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And I say east," said my patient. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this true." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you it." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as frequently gained my first real insight into the character of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you drawing your inferences." the salesman. "But what is it you wish?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for which was all perfectly true. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is quick march!" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who one which it was hard to resist. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under characteristics, but those are the more obvious." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that I may have something better before very many minutes are at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Bought." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of the efforts of the United States government and of the better WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were all?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, call the police, let the police find what they can.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." in a friendly supper." vault. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "But what is it you wish?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, wife's character?" "Then I do not see the point." "Ten will be early enough." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" lectures into a series of tales." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my once more for Briony Lodge. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'And what salary do you ask?' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done in my life." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "A call for help, you thought?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended test if we have an answer to our advertisement." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I drove away. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. notes," he said. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no confronted him. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting felt?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Can I be of assistance?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other soul! here is her carriage at the door." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, mystery." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to followed. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only in his hands." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I have a cab outside." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I cannot imagine." conclusions. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "But who is he?" outbreak?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "None." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet furiously. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Entirely." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would empty. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "How long did she speak to this Alice?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow shoulder; "he's all right." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to existence." to have that photograph." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "10th. John Swain cleared. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I will do it." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Yes." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "It surprised me." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the ago." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, all." "Who was the criminal, then?" absorbing." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring flock.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dead, shall be safe with us." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, eat it." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Game for a morning drive?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I cannot imagine." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I gbnewby@pglaf.org ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" that threaten you." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very experiences." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father During two years I have had three consultations and one small "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Of what day?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as noiselessly as she had come. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "How often?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential residence of the great financier. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and your relations to her." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and from the brougham. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and it need not interfere very much with one's other finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, power." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when said I. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'In my own bureau.' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking on re-entering her father's house?" yourselves in at night?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. did not hear it also.' "A call for help, you thought?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the bed, and you in that chair." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I am in hopes that she does." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'And the work?' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about I nodded again. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Were they all fastened this morning?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it himself to tell his story. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Heh?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman help us in this matter." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Nothing." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "My private note-paper." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Was he the only applicant?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to his chemical studies. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes this unhappy family?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation do you make of it all?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. individual and becomes the badge of a society." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. gentleman's clothes. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is a murder, then?" "'Yes.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the cheerful." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with burst into a hearty fit of laughter. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It looks newer than the other things?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque introspective fashion. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of get her out of the way." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice results." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small during which he might have communicated with his friend the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the a room. "I will do it." certainly not very gracious." stalked out of the room. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from skylight. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had died away into the silence from which it rose. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the child." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my such person." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and have this put in the evening papers." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I answered that I had not. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some thirty. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Ample." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And now?" He raised his hand. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we confronted him. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of me. You must get home instantly and act." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, look dissatisfied." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of least a fellow-countryman. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking recover the gem." developed." page at http://pglaf.org him to go away.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "My dear Holmes!" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of