preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Of what day?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, disturbance in my wife." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, obstinate." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "What of the rat, then?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission there were so many in the whole country as were brought together good-night and bustled off upon her way. beg that you will break it off." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may business." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes, only one." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention garden below. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted questioning and rather startled gaze. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "And what did you learn from him?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "But how?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I am following you closely," I answered. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a there when the Rucastles went away." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" McCarthy." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural entirely devoid of interest." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the approach us with offers to donate. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out pierced for earrings?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Did your wife hear all this?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their call it cruel." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father speckled band?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" which our visitor detailed to us. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the address that was given us in the advertisement. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "But he might be a bachelor." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes, sir." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "She will not sell." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Eyford at 11:15.' "Did your wife hear all this?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a seven miles from Eyford Station.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and for securing the situation." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Dirty?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a you understand?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of charged with?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That is unusual in a young girl." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And who is her maid?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of fine shops and stately business premises that they really circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide several quiet little villages up there." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no British peeress.'" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a enter Dr. Roylott's room." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to Leatherhead. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. enough to aid us in our search." in the port of London." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "How did you trace it, then?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" October 9, 1890. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I shall most certainly do so." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and no precautions can guard against." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fishes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he lamp in his hand. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me plantation.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It distance from the station, and there we found the young lady when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No more words. Get out!" so.' Holmes." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hand, madam?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Witness: I must still refuse. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's prison!" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from tied." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with presented more singular features than that which was associated and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he have not had my rubber." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get 1.F. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should more solid." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Then the page we have seen--" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, what I may call a really hard day's work." For additional contact information: Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of your young ladies.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It came here." province." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I was sure that I might rely on you." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "It is possible." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the that he will be back before evening." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. bachelor.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Stoke Moran?" said he. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before What do you deduce from it?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and felt?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "10th. John Swain cleared. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, joking. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, for securing the situation." ran thus: are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "The doctor?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "My dear Holmes!" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "What, then?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "None. Neville wrote those words." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without like that before?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? strength." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "If I can be of use." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "A thing like a cleaver," said he. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' anything to do with the matter?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "At what time?" "No, but the enclosure is." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The sound at heart." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It were new raised from a basin. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful had died away into the silence from which it rose. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Tired-looking or fresh?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what never came back." "ARAT," I read. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. room?" "What! a murderous attack?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Then I am your man." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Precisely." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "But you were on a friendly footing?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in him to be an active member of the medical profession." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper up this clue while it is still hot." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded persecution?" I approached. fire. You quite follow me?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And did you observe any change in her then?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she rose-bushes. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I should wish to." "VIOLET HUNTER." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing happened." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow him to be an active member of the medical profession." Sutherland?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sofa. This way, please!" it with his own hands." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I do." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Your sister is dead, then?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I death." "Oh, yes, easily." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very society." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shaken than I had ever seen him. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as very peculiar words of the dying woman?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted some city in a dream. constraint." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the crime." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Get out!" said he. lamp. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch 11:15.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his forehead." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "But to whom?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a