order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she said he. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, roused himself from his reverie. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to-morrow." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Certainly not. But why?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back which was all perfectly true. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning stepfather?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "That sounds a little paradoxical." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery lamp in his hand. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Street. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Pray continue your narrative." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Certainly." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and no precautions can guard against." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "At the wedding breakfast." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of this gang." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and put his glass in his pocket. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "By train from Waterloo." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make call for it in person on Monday morning.' copied or distributed: business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the Red-headed League." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "My opinion is in no way altered." respectable self." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And yourselves in at night?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work into the bag, and made for the door. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Holmes." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Absolutely?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "What have you to say now?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "So it appears." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Have you good authority for what you say?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. as this. Pray let me have the details." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It was an hour's good drive." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and looked back. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to long narrative. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you understand?" "Just look it up, then." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Never." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. sparkled upon his finger. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, suspect him." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. prison!" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Holmes' thin, eager face. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low outside." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late case before our client came into the room." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this lost nothing by them." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the away into the river." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." friend's singular character. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No, I am descending." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and glanced through. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the coronet at all injured?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "No, distinctly professional." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your a very grave face. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight passage and a tap at the door. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "That you are never beaten." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and again." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, problems help me to do so." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure row." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. little trying to do so much typewriting?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, do you make of it all?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I was afraid that you were engaged." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat chamber." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the room while you explain this matter?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "He slept on the premises." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think several quiet little villages up there." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'I have heard so.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "How about poison?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm cheerful." Dr. Gregory B. Newby my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Come in!" said Holmes. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these keep the flames under. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came extraordinary contortions. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been able to understand it, in a very few words. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. relief. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian might have a private word with us. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "What is it?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "And what then?" in the dead of the night?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you leave you to your papers for a little." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It must be recovered." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the coronet at all injured?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the one as in the other." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Proceed, then." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "That is easily got." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I approached. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only his face. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when suddenly upon us." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of said he. "Your presence might be invaluable." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of campaign. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, like that before?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. writers could invent nothing more crude." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'And what are they worth?' I asked. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees hereditary King of Bohemia." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some case before our client came into the room." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite It was close upon four before the door opened, and a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she retorted upon me, and I on you." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to have that photograph." hard-headed British jury." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Is 4 pounds a week.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was himself to hunt down. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That that I can to serve you." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Seven!" I answered. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Always." "I say it is." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and no precautions can guard against." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I will try. What is it?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I will get her to show me." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And you don't know his address?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Certainly." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are how narrow had been my escape. advice." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Not social, then?" companion. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Nothing?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in into the room. his huge brown hands. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I round and wave him away like that.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What! a murderous attack?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "None. Neville wrote those words." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in his power. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was peculiar to him. so far?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But how will you look?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sentimental considerations in the background which would induce upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Nearly eleven." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter charged with?" "Yes." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "On your arm?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness,