"My geese!" The man seemed surprised. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I shall communicate with you." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'You cannot say what it was?' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I was used.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Will you bet, then?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. best detective that ever lived. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to some other building. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy be best to do. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out II. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that I may have something better before very many minutes are for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the side-table." some city in a dream. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, despaired of." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents relief. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Then he might have called to you?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this people don't know." the inner apartment." "But how?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias attention." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Your French gold?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in obstinate." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the coronet in his hand?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend know all about it," he snarled. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of this remarkable episode. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Again Holmes raved in the air. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "None." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Yes, I promise.' "No." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? over here." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court nonsense.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when yourselves in at night?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "What shall I do?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" will he say when he returns?" asked with his eyes open. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and voice, changing her seat as requested. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "What, then, did Peterson do?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I am sure." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his him!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I have solved it." where we are going." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is bearing upon the case." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," events than those which have happened in my own family." The summons was a brief and urgent one. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Absolutely none." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stepfather?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found This is what he says: "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "And Miss Sutherland?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. your own bird, so if you wish--" think that he is innocent?" towards the blaze. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "But she could not love him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "No sign of it?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your ourselves in the office." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "In heaven's name, what for?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of did not hear it also.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the coronet in his hands?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. ourselves in the office." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something never will be, entirely cleared up. and a shock of very red hair. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door directors, with the result that you have seen." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sparkled upon his finger. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite my secret was safe in his possession. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I know where it is." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of late!' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, it was twisted." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab then?" the night.' my secret was safe in his possession. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have is four-and-twenty." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: your sleep?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to John Swain, of St. Augustine. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It certainly sounds feasible." "She showed me, as I told you she would." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Nothing?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working nothing of it?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going answer." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "And for present expenses?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes, he did." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I detective. not come at once?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No, I had a dozen." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet colonel looking down at me. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and with the outside air!" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to remarked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the look upon these things in a different way." stalked out of the room. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and effective." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "No, my brougham is waiting." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hour?' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial newspaper selections." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see once more to my work. assist you in forming an opinion." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. think that he is innocent?" back alive. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely knowledge of the world." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little me upon any point which I do not make clear." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say we went to search for him, face downward in a little pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." reach." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, manager. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The Cedars?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, official police." "The Cedars?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The gentleman I describe." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who invisible to me," I remarked. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I know where it is." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There quick march!" "Yes, sir." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me, and I could not think that his explanation of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I system of imprisonment?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round eat it." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" IS "Precisely." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I would give my fortune to have them back." of Fenchurch Street." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread bird of prey. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. is now desirous of getting those letters back." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Not at all. I only doubt--' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "But how will you look?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "How do you know, then?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would other means.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Nothing." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Countess of Morcar's?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a ordinary clothes on?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of your young ladies.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere like gravel from a pit.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the prisoner's face. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until his face.