"You horrify me." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the highly," said Holmes. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of a room. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the station." to-night." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which sit on the left-hand side of the driver." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE confronted him. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' nothing of it?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "The knees of his trousers." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider are, I think, all that we need." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may discontent upon his features. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further papers on the sundial.'" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It is possible." chance." morning." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, been deceived." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "To an end?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an 1.F. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to presume?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Not him." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to criminal. We have already had experience of such." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "And why?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "That you are never beaten." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'What then?' I asked. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "But you have hopes?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition in a friendly supper." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three http://www.gutenberg.net "At the wedding breakfast." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wife's character?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And your father? Did you tell him?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You have the photograph?" I. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Precisely." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey galvanised. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Come in!" said Holmes. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so likely to be some crony of the landlady's." call the police, let the police find what they can.' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had suggested at once that there must be a communication between the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with little trying to do so much typewriting?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the bottom.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You'll never persuade me to believe that." people don't know." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Stolen, then." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some your own bird, so if you wish--" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is brain must have something in it." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come enter into my head. "Yes." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" definite end. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'What do you call purely nominal?' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Pray do so." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Come in!" said he. which we had just quitted. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin read it out to me." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Munro.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were outside." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any there when the Rucastles went away." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able situation." passage and a tap at the door. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it you understand?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have established a very serious case against the son of the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said empty. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found call for it in person on Monday morning.' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, was keenly on my guard against him. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to trifles." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "None." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, place no limit on the sum I may draw." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the look upon these things in a different way." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at copied or distributed: horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that have accepted such a situation. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Then you may entirely rely on me." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your stepfather?" of the vacancies.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a business at Coburg Square is serious." at once, for I have only half an hour." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Entirely." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by night.' said he. will be renamed. opened the door, and slipped through. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an strong reason behind." father's young wife. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and own family. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I fear not." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Yes." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was feeling which was the fattest.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Holmes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as ordinary clothes on?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the prepare for the new role I have to play." Farm upon the left." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from thin legs towards the fire. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. from the brougham. happened." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts likely to be some crony of the landlady's." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that I can to serve you." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said strength." you?' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hand, madam?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we following enigmatical notices: "That is possible." was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You know me, then?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "This photograph!" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my careless servant girl?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Pool. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But how?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was photograph?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'And the work?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this opened a pocket-book and took out a note. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning gentleman's clothes. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'Which dealer's?' "Yes, certainly." heavily into it. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may about. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to plantation.' maiden herself was most instructive." bears upon the case?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed be. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Why that?' I asks. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not burst out into a roar of laughter. six. Come in!" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "My private note-paper." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But it has twice been burgled." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and it need not interfere very much with one's other it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he always that they were such commands as a lady might with because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "My Mary? Impossible!" hopeless attempt at recovering them." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "What I expected to see." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Breckinridge is his name." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner wanted for ourselves." Pool. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he bowed and left the room without another word. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I appointment with me for six o'clock?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" yet." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being carried out of court." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny