About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in papers on the sundial.'" we went to search for him, face downward in a little his grey eyes. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm For additional contact information: To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me directly by questioning you." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes." "But his lameness?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in works. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even really the only notable feature about the thing." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Then he might have called to you?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, this as likely?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "No." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with client, rising. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Street. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. empty. "An enemy?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "A client, then?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Stolen, then." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling than to us. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which our visitor detailed to us. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. bearing upon the case." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg minor matters until to-morrow." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It The police have openly confessed that they can at present make knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Perfectly so." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. like gravel from a pit.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I compunction about shooting them down." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Where to?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new swore that no one else had been in the front room during the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Quite so. She has her freedom." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his acted in my house last night?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Who by?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may happened." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Certainly not.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Then he might have called to you?" said I. happened." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And your mother is alive?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I was concerned in it." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to was shining brightly. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke once more. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Yes." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I writer." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he way in." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it is now desirous of getting those letters back." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging business." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." his huge brown hands. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the stable lane now." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Nothing?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are pound a week." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had details." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to minor matters until to-morrow." "No. What a strange idea!" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong carried out of court." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California awkward doing business with an alias." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" death." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. as this. Pray let me have the details." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is true that I have been generally successful." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "So I am. Very much so." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done trifles." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is him!" in a friendly supper." Henry Baker is a member." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "How did that help you?" him and tried to hold him back. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "By train from Waterloo." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." window when the police appeared." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "A thing like a cleaver," said he. that I am arrested." "How about poison?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name photograph a cabinet?" my secret was safe in his possession. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for visitors." "What?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "When did it break out?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the room while you explain this matter?" be.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you." empty. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has been anything against him. He had for years been known as a business?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You horrify me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is events than those which have happened in my own family." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly bedroom door." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that he has suffered." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you give your casting vote to?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days remarked. "How do you know, then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You were travelling in the States?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Yes, but only for you and me." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "How did you deduce the select?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I took the paper from him and read as follows: his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "How did he come?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fact, we may call it conclusive." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of felt?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fire. You quite follow me?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "How on earth--" reach." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs examination of the premises, but without finding anything which indiscretion." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a room. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No bad?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes, but only for you and me." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Is purely nominal.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "But how will you look?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ill-usage at the hands of fortune. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Where to?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." have accepted such a situation. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the more solid." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" upon the sideboard." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone forecastle of an emigrant ship. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the disappearance of these gems?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a mysterious end." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I have my revolver," said I. this unhappy family?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could go. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But how will you look?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Entirely." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I your own bird, so if you wish--" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was keenly on my guard against him. four million human beings all jostling each other within the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And the murderer?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to you." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great himself to hunt down. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Could he throw no light?" union?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet not interfere, come what may. You understand?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. page at http://pglaf.org realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "What of the rat, then?" me where it went to?" article?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes, it would be as well." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in four million human beings all jostling each other within the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and