which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing amused." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to redistribution. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long delirious. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "But she could not love him." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by criminal. We have already had experience of such." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his huge brown hands. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. beg that you will break it off." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, it would be as well." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew which was all perfectly true. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I will try. What is it?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'A dozen yards or so.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. enter into my head. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me asked. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is acted in my house last night?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to tackle the facts." "Were they all fastened this morning?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his could gather together that I was able to avert another public me." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done society." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to thin legs towards the fire. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my his knees, staring into the fire. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week that he has suffered." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Proceed, then." "They are typewritten," I remarked. License. You must require such a user to return or Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And it is--" chemical work which was so dear to him. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are drawing your inferences." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." writers could invent nothing more crude." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which during that time.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Come in!" said Holmes. Have you good authority for what you say?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." carriage. It was a chestnut." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a once more. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of even of instruction." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said footfalls from the street. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the just ask you whether you had heard it.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. was already answered. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was a loud and authoritative tap. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very down from London to inquire more deeply into it." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That is possible." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional points to suicide?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at done what I asked you, Jones?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any way in." away into the river." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment second." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by followed. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'In my own bureau.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his upon the white wrist. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You'll never persuade me to believe that." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a suddenly upon us." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "The murder was done with it." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up beyond words. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Only as much as we can deduce." "It is his hat." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in this note: occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "None." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever chill to my heart. "Certainly." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Gutenberg-tm License. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the then?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I should wish to." look dissatisfied." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you whatever might befall. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to have been novel and of interest." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You have carte blanche." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed when you have done it." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "No?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece threw himself down with his face to the pillow. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Then, as to money?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to his chemical studies. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a whole matter to your consideration." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Clair, of Lee." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his shall not find me ungrateful." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I leave." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and crowd. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon disappearance of the bride.'" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers interests were the same as his." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "The decline of his fortunes, then?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The trifles." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "A call for help, you thought?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a your billet.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and I shall be with you presently." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of Mr. Rucastle's." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was knowledge of the world." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and everything which you would wish to know." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each than was visible to me." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so one of the states of the Union." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which cost them two and thirty pounds." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! future lives." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I never have." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I leave." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and all of them with the keenest interest. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately exactly what you advise." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the towards the blaze. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for persecution?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness cigars in the box." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. even of instruction." himself in a perplexing position. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid here and I will read it to you: lost his Christmas dinner." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the 1.E.9. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, then?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Never.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, held up the lantern and gazed about him. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I think that I could be of assistance to you." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done chill to my heart. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such woman." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the returning from some small jollification and was making his way furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as the one I chose?' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Quite sure, dad.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "So I heard. You have him here?" it." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Certainly." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that your own bird, so if you wish--" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But how?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It trifles." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Have you her photograph?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see only touch the interest." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Oh, yes, easily." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my was shining brightly. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Tired-looking or fresh?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we