"Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he photograph?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the a very grave face. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which it had come upon my father." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "No, I am descending." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and it need not interfere very much with one's other Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And why in hopes?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was character. are, and they are waiting for us." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door leave you to your papers for a little." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two said he. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with gentleman's clothes. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "The decline of his fortunes, then?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Certainly not.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with my special province." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Street. "In heaven's name, what for?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question his cane at the bell-pull. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and outsides of the windows. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips question. fluttered off among the others. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." "One?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But not more so than I to find you." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The gentleman I describe." forbidden door. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see one's self under obligations.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he His name is Francis Prosper." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the date of his supposed suicide." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who crime." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a rose-bushes. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And the cigar-holder?" "'As governess?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the keep the flames under. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "What will you do, then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us very peculiar words of the dying woman?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I am to be neutral?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in John Swain, of St. Augustine. you came in." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was I was concerned in it." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such there is a decided draught." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Did your wife hear all this?" client, rising. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It surprised me." It may be so in this case, also." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too details should find their way into the papers. Inspector card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such said Mr. Holder. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless on re-entering her father's house?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "She will not sell." "But how?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up woven round him. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the round and wave him away like that.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would existence." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them My friend smiled. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and his knees, staring into the fire. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that you saw all that I did." himself to tell his story. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a one of the states of the Union." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look means taking possession of that which another person has a prior square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. taking in every detail of the apartment. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become yet." sufficient punishment." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "They are typewritten," I remarked. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "The vanishing of the lady." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, spare." true." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." might have a private word with us. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway unprofitable." mystery." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And I say east," said my patient. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your one else, I think." the little opening for the ventilator is." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gone. "To ruin me." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. cigar and let me expound." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "And the cigar-holder?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to yourselves in at night?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Here?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in nice household for a young lady." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which fasten all the windows?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a monotonous occupation." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his eyes and forehead. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "His face fell immediately. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "At half-wages, in fact." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I had this final quarrel? a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes." the best of training." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but quite distinctive." wedding?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative to change my dress. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the tragedy. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the returned to France?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The were new raised from a basin. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to affect your life." "And you thought he was pulled back?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was not a bird to be seen there. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "And now?" I asked. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few reach." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and manager. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." attention." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was lame." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got The events in question occurred in the early days of my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to affect your life." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But she could not love him." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from 1.E.9. Where does the thing come from?' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought power." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather overpowering excitement and concern. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sholtos." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But how?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' III. important." "Never to return." observed. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "What have you done?" asked Holmes. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yes." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg works. "Yes, from Horsham." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to-night's adventure." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Not I." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is half-past ten now." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What is it?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and suddenly upon us." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "To an end?" the ceiling. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" morning." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." were new raised from a basin. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards morning." "Quite so. She has her freedom." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to