whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in time." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I should be immensely obliged to you." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should tell him that I know him to be innocent." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No, but the enclosure is." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I am not easy in my mind about them." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be one else, I think." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his detective. hour." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after tell him that I know him to be innocent." sneer upon his pale face. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in the port of London." remarked. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. figure." the warnings." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." you." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to go from here to the Strand." own family. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in darkness. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" again before evening." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the I have it here in my museum." "My photograph." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Never to return." what do you think they found in the pockets?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had posted to-day." "You have the photograph?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where allusion to a rat. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning will find little credit to be gained out of this case." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "How did that help you?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." events, Mr. Windibank!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little at a side door. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the http://www.gutenberg.net American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I do.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of some terrible trap for her." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his official police." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of foresight and the moral retrogression?" in one or two places in England?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I will get her to show me." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first out." flock.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the think you a quite exceptional woman." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess them, and came down just as you departed. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all guilty parties." opportunities to fix the problem. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Did you observe the colour?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time flock.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "By all means." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps light and attacked it." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady at once, for I have only half an hour." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend business came to an end." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, learned something! Where are the gems?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Certainly." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is certainly not very gracious." "But his lameness?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire south, for the country is more deserted there." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from bird I ate is country bred." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Won't it ring?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the night.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I will, Miss Turner." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "And from a noble client?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Why serious?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the address that was given us in the advertisement. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission events, Mr. Windibank!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. closely." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Oh, fresh and glossy." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "By train from Waterloo." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I came to find a friend." father's place of business?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is visitors." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation your only hope of safety." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done always that they were such commands as a lady might with of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think investigation." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You have a clue?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you, my dear young lady?' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole once more for Briony Lodge. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' think you a quite exceptional woman." "I have hopes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save about. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Eh? What was that?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and purpose of examination. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hardly wander." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'As governess?' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of campaign. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since discontent upon his features. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less really the only notable feature about the thing." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should threw himself down with his face to the pillow. union?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have one." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Breckinridge is his name." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, is four-and-twenty." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." morning." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ it." until night should bring an explanation. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in this note: my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Not social, then?" "But of what society?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the conceal it?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yes, he did." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the coroner come to?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Holmes, the busybody!" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "What?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. residence of the great financier. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be details." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "He slept on the premises." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the figure." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, matter over." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Bought." "Yes." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One him to be an active member of the medical profession." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "The knees of his trousers." question," said Holmes, smiling. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that he has suffered." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "At what time?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "He slept on the premises." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the little opening for the ventilator is." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. laugh and put his lips to my ear. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'Yes, sir.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Nor running a chance of arrest?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared business at Coburg Square is serious." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Game for a morning drive?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I But Holmes shook his head gravely. Munro.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "And Miss Sutherland?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fled together." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and effective." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to