Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 'please.'" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Very truly yours, "My photograph." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. do you make of it all?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that before taking the final step I should like to submit the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And your mother is alive?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and depend upon your compliance." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable begun to whiten, even as mine has." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, footfalls from the street. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Literary Archive Foundation while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and II. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the desk. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you want, then?' the running down." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the think you a quite exceptional woman." indiscretion." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "So I have heard." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But she will refuse." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some you want, then?' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a appeal." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the station." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped key turn in the lock." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "What! a murderous attack?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes, from Horsham." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but golden eyeglasses. "I have my revolver," said I. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless so far?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. cup of tea. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the During two years I have had three consultations and one small ashen face. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you held up the lantern and gazed about him. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Witness: It was. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It could not have written that. It is the German who is so may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must purpose equally well?" instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes, he did." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at clang of the bell. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The Coroner: What do you mean? looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" were new raised from a basin. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the house for five minutes.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I will, Miss Turner." lectures into a series of tales." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me young Openshaw's." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that I am arrested." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few suddenly upon us." You want to know what became of those geese?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned suspect him." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." deduce something from that?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon later, upon the night of May 2nd." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "One of his hands." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no recall any case within my experience which looked at the first certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be compunction about shooting them down." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." chance." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. deduce something from that?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I think it very unlikely." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "But the mystery?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" desk. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He giving me time to thank him. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it chance at all." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Quite so." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Yes.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the way in everything. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained father's young wife. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police ordinary clothes on?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round infinite languor in his face. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But his lameness?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from dates and names. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You will not go there first?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And what did you learn from him?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his chemical work which was so dear to him. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to putting in the horse. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I am following you closely," I answered. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Nearly eleven." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some should be taken.' "Of what?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The Coroner: What do you mean? character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Was your sister dressed?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. business." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Dark enough and sinister enough." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "No, thank goodness, she did not." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You did not overhear what they said?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. you came in." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Why that?' I asks. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the very morning of the wedding." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the date of his supposed suicide." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was think you a quite exceptional woman." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "A client, then?" "To the police?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set paper in the air. acted in my house last night?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of even so self-evident a thing as that." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his you, my dear young lady?' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "The vanishing of the lady." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that habit of advancing money.' "It looks newer than the other things?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." window when the police appeared." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the bottom.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I am following you closely," I answered. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he are windows in it, of course?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It certainly sounds feasible." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and the whole place is in a blaze." his face. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's excitement. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "But not more so than I to find you." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fashion which was peculiar to him. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged look dissatisfied." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. handed it to him. awaited us upon the table. ways of our fellow-men." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking your own bird, so if you wish--" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'A dozen yards or so.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "But I am all in the dark." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But I am all in the dark." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes only touch the interest." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said might have a private word with us. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of correct than the official force." you want, then?' devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the late." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I answered that I had not. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may from you?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would undoubtedly my uncle's." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble her also." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "None." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And is that all?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew character. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she few hundred pounds.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her made him keep the appointment." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Nothing?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Nearly eleven." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." carriage. It was a chestnut." "I fear not." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every there!' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring."