This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: handed it to him. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." head. So long, then!" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in weapon." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Sutherland. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, chill to my heart. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, advice." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Which surely he restored to their owner?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Yes." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders when your master had gone out." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to-night." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a John Swain, of St. Augustine. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "What can you not understand?" some city in a dream. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just new duties?' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Did you observe the colour?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes, that is the Crown." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of your only hope of safety." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "We must have a cab." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "What can you not understand?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence newspaper selections." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, do." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The vanishing of the lady." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he His smile broadened. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the room. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "He said too much." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Bought." you?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I leave." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Why that?' I asks. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As God! What an exposure! What can I do?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to arrive at through this?" "I cannot imagine." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the character. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' a little more before I quite committed myself. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Dark enough and sinister enough." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." purpose of examination. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my behind me. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he look dissatisfied." this poor creature." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Imitated." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have not had my rubber." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is business." client, rising. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. of Mr. Rucastle's." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I am in hopes that she does." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, for securing the situation." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. extraordinary contortions. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and than to us. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' when your master had gone out." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the one which your family is now devouring." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the matter?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a very grave face. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in him." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Always." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. is a common subject for conversation. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in a very precise fashion." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Bought." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could at a side door. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It is very kind of you." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the coroner come to?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded unprecedented a position." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I lamp in his hand. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face you." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our anything to a woman, for she would have her way." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "No legal papers or certificates?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Where to?' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the Red-headed League." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce conclusions. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was must compliment you." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I don't say that. Perhaps." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the best of training." here and I will read it to you: the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the again." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so furiously. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever other lovers by making love himself." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time too. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely everything which you would wish to know." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of his shoulders. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You horrify me." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I do." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes, the wine-cellar." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you little trying to do so much typewriting?" in this way: that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "How did you trace it, then?" it right.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our certainly not very gracious." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I charged with?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Why did you pick him?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the warnings." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to change my dress. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to affect your life." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Nothing." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my secret was safe in his possession. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'What are you doing there?' he asked. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I would pay ten." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. are, I think, all that we need." awkward doing business with an alias." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed thirty. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He is still with you, I presume?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Project Gutenberg-tm works. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is present strange and interesting features that it is no easy me where it went to?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I am about to be married." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now call the police, let the police find what they can.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "No more words. Get out!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white acquaintance?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Nothing?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" she might be summoned. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, a monotonous occupation." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what over with notes and figures. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it habit of advancing money.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "And your mother is alive?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was not a bird to be seen there. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was already answered. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on