the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Your sister is dead, then?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "If I can be of use." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my little problems." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Sholtos." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "But you can know nothing of this?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of them has the shutters up.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside despaired of." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it British peeress.'" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "One of his hands." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, he did." "And the murderer?" cheerful." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. may have an influence upon European history." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. own family. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What then?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "What will you do, then?" "'I have already given you my word.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I cannot think." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, speckled band?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you relief. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to might help us?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been villagers almost as much as their master. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "But we can't all be." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But to whom?" "There is the writing." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than without success. At last the little money which I had saved began man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "That sounds a little paradoxical." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the room while you explain this matter?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It goes to the housekeeper's room." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was go--none." colonel looking down at me. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and note?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has vault. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if never to learn it at all." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Pray do so." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "He said too much." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Was he the only applicant?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily this Miss Turner." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Yes." that you wished to speak to me?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he that he will be back before evening." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fled together." to me. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. hopeless attempt at recovering them." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to it right.' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper instituted." are windows in it, of course?" question. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business third from London." ashen face. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future stammered. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very What do you deduce from it?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Yes, only one." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I am armed." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. papers." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "It is very kind of you." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which advice." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "She will not sell." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen could not account in any way for the presence of the missing is entirely a question of barometric pressure." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "To ruin me." the King without delay." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "No, I am descending." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the affair. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "If I can be of use." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Ah, but I was recommended to you." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in child?' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to tell." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a went to the Alpha were town bred." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "None." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Certainly not. But why?' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Ha! you find it so?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which it had come upon my father." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 1.F. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Get out!" said he. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of the vacancies.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "How are you getting on?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it overpowering excitement and concern. and the whole place is in a blaze." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one him and tried to hold him back. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "By train from Waterloo." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "That you are never beaten." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lost nothing by them." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and to-night's adventure." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went you." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret infinite languor in his face. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Henry Baker is a member." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What then?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and put his glass in his pocket. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Entirely.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I charge against him will break down." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Never,' said I. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been guilty one." "Married! When?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "How do you know, then?" rose-bushes. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I written. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our assist you in forming an opinion." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS past. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite companion imperturbably. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. friends, not even his own brother. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a asked. results." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Oh, no.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." had this final quarrel? chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "He said too much." indeed happy." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the bottom.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that, and I came down." had a long day." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It is very kind of you." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of persecution?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. think, you have already met." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" distinguish the words: right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "No legal papers or certificates?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or train from Paddington which would bring you there at about he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out felt?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question as this. Pray let me have the details." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to surprise her." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have that you saw all that I did." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated me." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the