have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that some water from a caraffe. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had voice, changing her seat as requested. late!' "Always." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than could gather together that I was able to avert another public like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor way in." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in one or two places in England?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been right! Sit down and let us talk it over." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Farm upon the left." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and indiscretion." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said true." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the way in." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk overpowering excitement and concern. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. question. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no helping a boy to put up the shutters. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little persecution?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What can it mean?" I gasped. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I am armed." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, we went to search for him, face downward in a little himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. felt the room to be a little close.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And from a noble client?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the families. Now for the facts. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" meant." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It is possible." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and it need not interfere very much with one's other feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend knowledge of the world." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "What shall I do?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I cannot imagine." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I shall communicate with you." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face floor. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be something of him before." fasten all the windows?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any my special province." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I beg pardon." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a his cane at the bell-pull. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and not, dad?" she asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 'please.'" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police The summons was a brief and urgent one. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to were wasted." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Pope's Court. signal between you and your father? to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, so.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' upon the sideboard." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note with her." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and throat." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. business." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Where is it, then?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." discontent upon his features. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." into the room. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' conceal it?" "What then?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "But you have hopes?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, he did." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Was your sister dressed?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. bare slabs of marble. "Yes." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, crackling voice. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was the fact that his father should, according to his account, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in woman." carpenter." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You know me, then?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "On the contrary, this is the right side." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Edgeware Road. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken corner of the building. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "No." "You horrify me." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to you." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Holmes, the busybody!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his redistribution. "'Certainly not. But why?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "In the cells." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may congenial hunt. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." into the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Where, then?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, outsides of the windows. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" looking up at the numbers of the houses." affection." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered way: the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon was a lad." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad careless servant girl?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon developed." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second opened a pocket-book and took out a note. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest ready to-morrow?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." bearing upon the case." trying to your nerves." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. second." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very suspect him." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of most interesting one." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly may never be exposed to such a temptation." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my and the church but not where the lady lived." "One of the highest in England." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but I shall continue with my miserable story. arrested. You then--" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your my friend's incisive reasoning. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Quite so." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Count Von Kramm." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. joking. Clair, of Lee." to tell." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It surprised me." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Breckinridge is his name." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the Red-headed League." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of receipt of the work. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by hour?' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a allusion to a rat. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, were new raised from a basin. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project is so. I know all about McCarthy." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Come in!" said he. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me is four-and-twenty." to affect your life." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My Mary? Impossible!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "What do you mean?" invisible to me," I remarked. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and looked back. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Chief Executive and Director running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while feature." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single point in the dark hollow of his hand. "My own seal." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." never will be, entirely cleared up. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the families. Now for the facts. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with strode off upon his way. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "You saw the ventilator, too?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman