Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few never will be, entirely cleared up. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What steps will you take?" I asked. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Gutenberg-tm License. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Very. But will he see it?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from ill-usage at the hands of fortune. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "The Cedars?" "And what did you learn from him?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Never." deduce something from that?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Does that suggest anything?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Precisely." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it this poor creature." events than those which have happened in my own family." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Where, then?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to begun to whiten, even as mine has." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down enter Dr. Roylott's room." here." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "How do you know, then?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; second." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though this Miss Turner." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "May I see it?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had picked up in the wood. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." overpowering excitement and concern. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the Assizes." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Oh, fresh and glossy." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said forebodings. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And I." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I village inn over there?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what mysterious business." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the matter." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "No, I am descending." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I should wish to." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what affection." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of think that he is innocent?" "None." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "None." at a side door. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations lost nothing by them." front of me. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But we can't all be." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should had this final quarrel? I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that States. "What have you to say now?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black friend's singular character. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Texas, I think." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Certainly, madam." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My last client of the sort was a king." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was already answered. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no begun to whiten, even as mine has." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Get out!" said he. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Witness: Nothing definite. morning." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "So it appears." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "No." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I have my revolver," said I. with some details as to your case." morning." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "In which, sir?" "And for present expenses?" "Quite so." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. window when the police appeared." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Quite so." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a about here speaks of his kindness to him." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of His smile broadened. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I was concerned in it." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police remarked. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain foresight and the moral retrogression?" Street. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could foresight and the moral retrogression?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both train.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I never have." not come at once?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately results." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, manager. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The there were one or two details which were new to me. But the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Stolen, then." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in it." the devil!" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," morning." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was you understand?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have notes," he said. the Assizes." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses present." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Serpentine Avenue. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me think that any burglar could have done. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "What! Had he lost his wife?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. on re-entering her father's house?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I away into the river." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view woman who has had her own way to make in the world. be best to do. "'You cannot say what it was?' "And is that all?" carpenter." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own man. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." this as likely?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too heavily into it. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached coat-tails." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of receipt of the work. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead other means.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Not in the least." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Countess of Morcar's?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. girl said." the best of training." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "This photograph!" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with trifles." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a lips." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers without a word or a look. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lamp. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Just look it up, then." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Where, indeed?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I outbreak?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into questioning and rather startled gaze. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The rest you will leave in our hands." outbreak?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of weighed down with some great anxiety. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Gutenberg-tm License. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the south-west, I see." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I nodded again. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing you do it in twenty minutes!' in him." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day examine." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I if I call to-morrow?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I think that it is very probable." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Get out!" said he. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Here?" door?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lectures into a series of tales." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can nice household for a young lady." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of been able to understand it, in a very few words. mystery!" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and this poor creature." upon an income of about 60 pounds." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "A confidential servant?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the goes." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Entirely.' hardly wander." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the man. hurried away. Holmes." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "How did you trace it, then?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There wall." such person." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?"