so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No, my brougham is waiting." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I guessed as much." became a certainty. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Stolen." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small excitement. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater License. You must require such a user to return or really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my there was no need for father to know." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any manager. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'And what are they worth?' I asked. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to III. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging late!' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and examine." "'And the work?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Precisely so. But how--" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his grey eyes. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Very truly yours, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug away into the river." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the colonel looking down at me. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It is no ordinary one." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was that?' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "How often?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Entirely.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Miss Holder?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Farm upon the left." with you?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring do." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Again Holmes raved in the air. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Who by?" fire. You quite follow me?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'And the work?' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Nor running a chance of arrest?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It came here." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you want, then?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I such attractions and accomplishments?' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation papers on the sundial.'" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the King without delay." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of nothing with him." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and investigation." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which I could not give. He asked for Alice. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You did not overhear what they said?" money should be paid at once.' Pool. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the coroner come to?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the with you alone." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No?" taking in every detail of the apartment. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the one as in the other." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had crowd. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Pray be precise as to details," said he. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, colonel looking down at me. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "That is possible." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The gentleman I describe." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with him to be an active member of the medical profession." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "What then?" "By no means." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and there." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their look dissatisfied." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel may have an influence upon European history." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "A confidential servant?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to business matters.' papers on the sundial.'" some city in a dream. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I am all attention, madam." his face. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. place of silver." future lives." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' for and were ordered to this address. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "But it has twice been burgled." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the driver. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Most admirably.' "I will not look." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." be.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a forbidden door. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And now?" I asked. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, my friend's incisive reasoning. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean During two years I have had three consultations and one small 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how window when the police appeared." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. me. You must get home instantly and act." already been minutely examined." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given of it with the greatest attention. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an here." union?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted wanted for ourselves." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with said he, "my real name is James Ryder." then?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "None." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but tell me that you intended to go into harness." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Eh? What was that?" fluttered off among the others. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, see me here to avoid scandal." go back?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." But Holmes shook his head gravely. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for good-night and bustled off upon her way. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It is very clear." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But how?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce fuss that is made over them." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always habit of advancing money.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that before taking the final step I should like to submit the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What have you done?" asked Holmes. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something mysterious business." as yours." strength of mind to control. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Get out!" said he. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Imitated." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets out." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has society." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "On Monday." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of any more." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On it." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. we went to search for him, face downward in a little responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to arrive at through this?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and highroad, where all traces were lost. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "What office?" quickly through a disagreeable task. existence." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And did you observe any change in her then?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "So I have heard." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fled together." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "A client, then?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pictures, libraries, or plate. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "And who is her maid?" his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room shoulder; "he's all right." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I cannot tell." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was carried out of court." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he fluttered off among the others. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." retorted upon me, and I on you." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in a very precise fashion." me what he had done with the three missing stones. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yes." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open felt the room to be a little close.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No more words. Get out!" bonnet, and went out." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Gutenberg-tm License. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to