"But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It is possible." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "She showed me, as I told you she would." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking brain must have something in it." strong reason behind." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to have that photograph." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but notes," he said. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which our visitor detailed to us. himself in a perplexing position. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But he might be a bachelor." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which useful material for showing traces. The double line a little you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "If I can be of use." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, train.' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "We were both in the photograph." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Come in!" said he. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the Red-headed League." "The King of Scandinavia." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hour." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I am all attention, madam." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue You want to know what became of those geese?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will think you a quite exceptional woman." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Absolutely none." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "We have tried and failed." "I do." one else, I think." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite golden eyeglasses. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But the mystery?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "How did you deduce the select?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I shall communicate with you." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with the outside air!" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Then I do not see the point." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "But what is it you wish?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and investigation." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I cannot tell." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Is he quiet?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid dear old homesteads?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." present." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord society." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken friends, not even his own brother. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Did you observe the colour?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men results." detective. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Upon what point?" placed his cuttings. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut later, upon the night of May 2nd." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the new duties?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a trying to your nerves." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I warn you that they are very incomplete." occupations.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I guessed as much." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty strength of mind to control. "How many? I don't know." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at passage and a tap at the door. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project interests were the same as his." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But to whom?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the south-west, I see." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to orange pips. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to have been novel and of interest." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in purpose equally well?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock both be extremely obliged.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the little opening for the ventilator is." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the gone. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in his hands." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in his hands." "And that is--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his October 9, 1890. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." corner of the building. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And did you observe any change in her then?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might a room. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and ourselves in the office." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Yes, sir.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification one which it was hard to resist. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each wall." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, papers." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and placed his cuttings. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "At half-wages, in fact." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who electronic works bled considerably." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do yards of it?' the house with me." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "My dear Holmes!" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may other means.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. wife's character?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "No, I think that I'll take it." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "There are none." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a very morning of my second wedding." Lee, in the county of Kent." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been house for five minutes.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS few hundred pounds.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "The Cedars?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "How on earth--" "What are they?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project of the vacancies.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the wall." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I shall communicate with you." Street. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it matters immensely." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real ways of our fellow-men." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to change my dress. "And leave your case unfinished?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white breakfast." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "That is not always so easy." Eyford at 11:15.' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Pray tell us what has happened to you." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the house with me." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "And what did you learn from him?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Never.' something of him before." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this meant it for the best. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I have solved it." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I shall continue with my miserable story. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the driver. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "In heaven's name, what for?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Is he quiet?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is three fields round his house, and there he would take his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "If so, much may have happened between." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such not personally threatened." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Where, indeed?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually one of the states of the Union." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Never." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to occupations.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But you were on a friendly footing?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself lamp. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I have a cab outside." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call certainly not very gracious." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "To the police?" "Dirty?" back to my heart. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" ago." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and it need not interfere very much with one's other have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin