"Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Then I shall certainly come." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my me where it went to?" suspect him." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it ran thus: "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, details." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." for securing the situation." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were who was a member of your goose club." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back away to you." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "We have tried and failed." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, when your master had gone out." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards she used." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I pressing in one house as in another. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across 'I should be able to look after that for you.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to change my dress. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into cause to be." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Nothing?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Yes, sir." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he bird of prey. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at my remark. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon that he will be back before evening." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It certainly sounds feasible." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in companion imperturbably. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place one else, I think." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. prepare for the new role I have to play." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable this unhappy family?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would business." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would better grown goose." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be speckled band?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Who was the criminal, then?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is paper in the air. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his cup of tea. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had enter into my head. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the King without delay." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the Assizes." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had his forehead." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest neither fascinating nor artistic." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he way in." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish memory. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning handed it to him. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "We must have a cab." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose during that time.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments weary and pale-looking. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to tackle the facts." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from against a man in the prime of life?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning not within a twentieth part of the market price." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. discontent upon his features. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. everything which you would wish to know." "Absolutely?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to-night's adventure." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But she will refuse." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with lamp. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off feature." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family had formerly been in part my own. interest. They are important, you understand, without being brandy and water within his reach. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "There are none." question. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the 11:15.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He outbreak?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom a monotonous occupation." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "In which, sir?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell husband's writing, madam." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second maiden herself was most instructive." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "My private note-paper." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that?' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very straightened it out again. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. crime." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with some details as to your case." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "He is still with you, I presume?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Not in the least." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That's no good." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he highly," said Holmes. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" prepare for the new role I have to play." way in everything. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, out." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them awaited us upon the table. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the plantation.' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at IS "Yes." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at shall not find me ungrateful." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I was certainly surprised to find you there." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the seem to you to be relevant or not." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, distinguish the words: twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "What office?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement shall not find me ungrateful." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly gigantic client. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I never have." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause cost them two and thirty pounds." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some open." important." "Seven!" I answered. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I cannot tell." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, putting in the horse. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But what is it you wish?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Witness: Nothing definite. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in the port of London." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of were new raised from a basin. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Why that?' I asks. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And how?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and I shall be with you presently." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this unkempt, staring out at me. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bird of prey. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fishes. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Entirely.' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the becomes even more simple." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "No, thank goodness, she did not." "A confidential servant?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and compunction about shooting them down." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to-night?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." until night should bring an explanation. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Ample.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, certainly." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the companion imperturbably. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes." "And when will you call?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'And the work?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps matter." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the so-precious time, but come!' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? appeal." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what into her hand at the door and which lured her within their had picked up in the wood.