began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "By train from Waterloo." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner father's place of business?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and the church but not where the lady lived." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. least a most suspicious remark." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements until night should bring an explanation. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "On Monday." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of ran thus: in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls village inn over there?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? husband's writing, madam." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Certainly." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Your French gold?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an bearing upon the case." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, respectable self." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I be sorry for having acted so harshly." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The depend upon my doing so.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, for its centre. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Have you good authority for what you say?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Very truly yours, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad entirely lost his self-respect." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time up this clue while it is still hot." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a vanished into the darkness. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when made his money." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the loss of it. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a at a side door. "Upon what point?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "So I heard. You have him here?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never were new raised from a basin. "'I have heard so.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. comes from the middle window." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of his shoulders. "BALLARAT." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll could not have written that. It is the German who is so wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied page at http://pglaf.org "Yes?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He might." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Countess of Morcar's?" hour?' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove there when the Rucastles went away." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It may be so in this case, also." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I say that I have solved it." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the King without delay." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, said Mr. Holder. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who him to be an active member of the medical profession." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but read over the extraordinary announcement. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all lost nothing by them." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes, certainly." persecution?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and inquire as to the address." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a congenial hunt. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing during which he might have communicated with his friend the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to-night?" I asked. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which it had come upon my father." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I know where it is." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers The police have openly confessed that they can at present make foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his down. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dates and names. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to enough to aid us in our search." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between not within a twentieth part of the market price." all that?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case singular points about the case. What did the police think of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Pope's Court. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Was she in good spirits?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "But not more so than I to find you." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott will he say when he returns?" do you make of it all?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You have the photograph?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You have the photograph?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded it." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. soul! here is her carriage at the door." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "And sit in the dark?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad mystery!" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." putting in the horse. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of better in every way that they should make their position a little send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to you." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes, he did." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Look there!" said he. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round your co-operation." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Pray continue your narrative." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general where she found matters as described by the last witness. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" nights." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Won't it ring?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it at home. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I writing, and yet I know it well." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I was sure that I might rely on you." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle husband's writing, madam." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late back to my heart. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at your room." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Lee, in the county of Kent." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'In my own bureau.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "But you can know nothing of this?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. bachelor.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to me. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Where to?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to writing, and yet I know it well." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And why in hopes?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." peculiar to him. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at God! What an exposure! What can I do?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the side-table." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I am sure." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "How did you deduce the select?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco keep the flames under. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that done what I asked you, Jones?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stepfather?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Entirely.' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "That is possible." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I cannot say that I have." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "In what way?" asked Holmes. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out cup of tea. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Again Holmes raved in the air. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily bearing upon the case." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before them?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You are all wrong." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been