beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I would pay ten." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such in him." must compliment you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "In heaven's name, what for?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I cannot tell." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But the mystery?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, directly by questioning you." "You horrify me!" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'What do you call purely nominal?' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You my former friend and companion. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Never to return." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at British peeress.'" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. ways of our fellow-men." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for congenial hunt. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you understand?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the correct than the official force." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Why serious?" whereabouts. that you saw all that I did." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "But what will you do?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a 1.F. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "On the contrary, this is the right side." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, all." here." "No." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the read it out to me." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the very morning of the wedding." photograph?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but could not have written that. It is the German who is so everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such searched, without anything being found which could incriminate arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Come in!" said he. amused." "It is no ordinary one." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I promise," said Holmes. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the Friday. Was it to be in church?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Mrs. Toller serenely. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to-night's adventure." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to-night's adventure." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know round and wave him away like that.' "He said that you could solve anything." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I am sure." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always in one or two places in England?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "The doctor?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Have you her photograph?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the Assizes." "'Where could I find him?' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always were wasted." the inquest, and which are worth considering." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yes, certainly." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "He said that you could solve anything." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt if she died from some sudden fright." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Where does the thing come from?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Where is it, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've best detective that ever lived. Sutherland?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to some other building. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the loss of it. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my a suggestive one." that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Thank you. Pray proceed." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow not personally threatened." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging be best to do. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Yes." might help us?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You think so, too?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if acquaintance?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you lamp. "And for present expenses?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." 11:15.' "'What then?' I asked. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself your co-operation." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the should be so warm over such a trifle." in this note: this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry have established a very serious case against the son of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their relief. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "So I have heard." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, could go. asked. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Nothing." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Texas, I think." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with annoyance, but no jest. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was yourselves in at night?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Lee, in the county of Kent." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, never to learn it at all." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Precisely." as the one I chose?' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, crime. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "How did he come?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "He might." and a shock of very red hair. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running eat it." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which it had come upon my father." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "What, then, did Peterson do?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project empty. will be renamed. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey tapping his fingers upon the table. a room. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he weighed down with some great anxiety. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Here?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "He might." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I leave." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was which was all perfectly true. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his cane at the bell-pull. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "And I." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he recover the gem." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room His name is Francis Prosper." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "How can you tell that?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "He said too much." "Not yet." back to my heart. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the his forehead." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "How often?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "What! Had he lost his wife?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with some details as to your case." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss tapping his fingers upon the table. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped papers on the sundial.'" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me colonel looking down at me. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could