they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said tension within him. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Yesterday." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." bird of prey. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in his hands." followed. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. be best to do. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the everything which you would wish to know." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." enough to aid us in our search." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Will you go?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It was an hour's good drive." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fattened it expressly for you.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will fish-monger and a tide-waiter." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his door?" throat." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a little more before I quite committed myself. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of campaign. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way whether it answered to the description of any of their and inquire as to the address." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Again Holmes raved in the air. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small she has been waylaid. There has been no result." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler back to my heart. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are only touch the interest." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their father's place of business?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Where does the thing come from?' noble correspondent could be. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, best detective that ever lived. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without your bag." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most off." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same congenial hunt. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own been able to understand it, in a very few words. of his shoulders. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Doctor, of the paper and the date." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I morning." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, this Miss Turner." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Very good.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing beyond words. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with tell him that I know him to be innocent." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would reach." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" gigantic client. "Was he the only applicant?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little felt?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and plantation.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the do.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." goes." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm I was concerned in it." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Certainly,' I answered. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to I nodded to show that I had heard. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan opened a pocket-book and took out a note. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he secret." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about your co-operation." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our views." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country think that he is innocent?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here bears upon the case?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "But what harm can there be in that?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. used to be." row." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from vault. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and a shock of very red hair. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Well, some hundreds of times." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic carried out of court." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far against a man in the prime of life?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country my friend's incisive reasoning. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the beyond words. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, noting anything else of interest. "It is no ordinary one." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I approached. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an speckled band?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank know what is wrong with it.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at standing smiling on the door-step. "Of what day?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Certainly,' I answered. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard was it brought him the coronet? into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "It looks newer than the other things?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger who was a member of your goose club." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You are hungry," I remarked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in has little to do with my story." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Ah, but I was recommended to you." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "On your arm?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize begun to whiten, even as mine has." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in a very precise fashion." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "But it has twice been burgled." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "But what will you do?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the loss of it. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the photograph?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of photograph?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father eat it." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It was." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was stepfather?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, nice household for a young lady." telegram would bring me down to your help." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had papers diligently of late, have you not?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I think that it is very probable." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some visitors." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and it need not interfere very much with one's other square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have an American origin." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what my room." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary chemical work which was so dear to him. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that once more for Briony Lodge. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary grasp, he hurried from the room. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "He slept on the premises." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I have my revolver," said I. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I are, I think, all that we need." "How did that help you?" an introduction to him?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite clanging. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of as he folded up the epistle. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "What are they?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident at home. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "My opinion is in no way altered." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the passage and a tap at the door. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent take the flies, but not before." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I shall most certainly do so." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I am all attention, madam." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might carried out of court." nights." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' outbreak?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "What is it?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." it right.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." dead, shall be safe with us." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a know all about it," he snarled. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the again on its way. "And the murderer?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Yes, certainly."