http://gutenberg.net/license). armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You did not overhear what they said?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line or other trace. But how on earth--" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It surprised me." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my during which he might have communicated with his friend the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hereditary King of Bohemia." entirely devoid of interest." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "She showed me, as I told you she would." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, murdered man." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the villagers almost as much as their master. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the one as in the other." read it out to me." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "By no means." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by wall." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we once more on the important position which you have been fortunate a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on cost them two and thirty pounds." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is," said he presently: Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I will do it." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I strode off upon his way. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Game for a morning drive?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Pray do so." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be new duties?' "Witness: I must still refuse. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Do you go out much in society?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Witness: Nothing definite. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I cannot tell." "'Yes, it was gone.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be do.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he you, my dear young lady?' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "And you can do nothing until then?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And the murderer?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the photograph a cabinet?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he behind me. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have row." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an suddenly upon us." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: maiden herself was most instructive." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." side. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, coroner's jury." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that will not take me long to tell. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that you do it in twenty minutes!' Farm upon the left." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "In heaven's name, what for?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a heavily into it. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I was mad--insane." the running down." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Did he not advertise?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "The murder was done with it." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to later, upon the night of May 2nd." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. could go. Miss Holder?" you want, then?' "Where to?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Then what has happened to him?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And what did you see?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Eyford at 11:15.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the prisoner's face. garden below. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. your most interesting statement." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" do.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the coronet in his hand?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried see a sister of mine apply for." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Yes, it would be as well." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found corner of the building. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no their singular warning or token before them when starting upon breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'No, I know no one in these parts.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. The King stared at him in amazement. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a green of the new foliage. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "How often?" "An enemy?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I would pay ten." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it would apply.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant London for the present?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "None." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, what I may call a really hard day's work." not come at once?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into might help us?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in seem to you to be relevant or not." it." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always is four-and-twenty." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Certainly." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, foresight and the moral retrogression?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the were unconscious?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Yes, that is the Crown." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have accepted such a situation. wedding?" miles off. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, room. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful arrested. You then--" what is your own theory as to what took place?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And how have you succeeded?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall 1.E.9. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, father's place of business?" forbidden door. client, rising. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I cannot tell." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Not social, then?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to a more successful conclusion." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which are rolled in Rotterdam." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shall use the carriage to-night." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "That sounds a little paradoxical." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own generous with you in money matters.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I side. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "In San Francisco, a year ago." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then I shall certainly come." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "We have tried and failed." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You did not overhear what they said?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of when your master had gone out." "And you thought he was pulled back?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great floor. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a occurred." "I have my revolver," said I. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had to me. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had has little to do with my story." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls yet." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without quickly through a disagreeable task. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. events, Mr. Windibank!" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing appeal." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one shoulder. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Serpentine Avenue. than to us. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until do.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Your sister is dead, then?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Seven!" I answered. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of