cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying clang of the bell. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "What! Had he lost his wife?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Never,' said I. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the running down." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and furiously. will take you up to see the machine.' discontent upon his features. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second happened." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "In San Francisco, a year ago." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple electronic works stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is I nodded to show that I had heard. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not amused." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has one of the states of the Union." "Where did you address your letters, then?" south, for the country is more deserted there." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I o'clock is it?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and directly by questioning you." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sneer upon his pale face. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly with the outside air!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he charged with?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," fattened it expressly for you.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were photograph?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Proceed, then." public press." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere there was no need for father to know." never will be, entirely cleared up. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as your troubles." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" was lame." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than them, and came down just as you departed. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to should be so warm over such a trifle." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I have it here in my museum." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two could go. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very rat could hardly pass through." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to that open window." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "My last client of the sort was a king." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet it were putty." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I nodded to show that I had heard. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a events, Mr. Windibank!" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Is purely nominal.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black here." "Absolutely none." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I have hopes." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all waste of energy." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and the whole place is in a blaze." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I orange pips. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my special province." I held the little printed slip to the light. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "In the cells." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his fortune, and I went back to pa. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And true." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Quite so. She has her freedom." again." depend upon your compliance." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "She will not sell." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her also." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand side. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, did not hear it also.' "But what is it you wish?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Not social, then?" papers on the sundial.'" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from are, I think, all that we need." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fear." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'In my own bureau.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Gutenberg-tm License. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" had a long day." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes what these perils are?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "To the police?" "Then how many are there?" happened." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the joking. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such unkempt, staring out at me. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Very truly yours, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'I shall certainly be there.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I think it very unlikely." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless derbies." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat what I may call a really hard day's work." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It is possible." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Where did you address your letters, then?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this seem to you to be relevant or not." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And I say east," said my patient. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold like that before?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the tragedy. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'In my own bureau.' "How did you deduce the select?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "But how did you gain them?" detained." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I do." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Was the window open?" arrangements." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was events, Mr. Windibank!" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to his chemical studies. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' look dissatisfied." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the investigation." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You did not overhear what they said?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over What do you deduce from it?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Where is it, then?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would relief. into the bag, and made for the door. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." stood on the top of it. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Never." papers diligently of late, have you not?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a invisible to me," I remarked. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, questioning and rather startled gaze. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." society." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "He said that you could solve anything." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Her father is very rich?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But how could you guess what the motive was?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It is very clear." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which breakfast." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to License. You must require such a user to return or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond tightly behind him. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. girl said." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is crime. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the arrested. You then--" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the child." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a appeared upon the scene." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I am in hopes that she does." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I never have." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Leave Paddington by the 11:15." easy-going way." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And what did you see?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. cup of tea. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I cannot as yet see any connection." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he business in the City. She little knew what. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs read it out to me." Pool. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage