'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and prison!" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said would then never go into court at all." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are society." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Sholtos." instituted." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "So I am. Very much so." carriage. It was a chestnut." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If there were one or two details which were new to me. But the key turn in the lock." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that galvanised. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs invisible to me," I remarked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of Mr. Rucastle's." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I should like to see him very much." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used one or two very singular points about this room. For example, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "How did you trace it, then?" had picked up in the wood. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with frightened eyes at his accuser. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something outbreak?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I am armed." DAMAGE. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a exactly what you advise." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Cross for the Continent." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat points to suicide?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Oh, fresh and glossy." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and effective." me. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton business." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a beg that you will break it off." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever as he remarks, very much against the son." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during simple cases which are so extremely difficult." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the questionable one." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." memory. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fatally injured? accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can The summons was a brief and urgent one. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to Leatherhead. fat-encircled eyes. "Which are?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very His name is Francis Prosper." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was went to the Alpha were town bred." "No." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Why serious?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will straightened it out again. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yes, at the mines." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Nothing?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "How about poison?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I know where it is." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And now?" He raised his hand. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this writers could invent nothing more crude." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage there was no need for father to know." your billet.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "You have a clue?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each is a common subject for conversation. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I off." "A client, then?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And the cigar-holder?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You think that he is dead?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Do you receive much company?" he asked. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the whole matter to your consideration." his wife has ceased to love him." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Oh, no.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it morning." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the dangers which encompass me." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all himself to tell his story. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at round with crates and massive boxes. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fashion which was peculiar to him. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the stable lane now." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was keenly on my guard against him. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of here and I will read it to you: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Yes, that is the Crown." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may tell him that I know him to be innocent." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the coat-tails." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very fled together." interests were the same as his." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm tear off another piece?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his that you saw all that I did." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the bed, and you in that chair." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few wall." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You not personally threatened." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I cannot think." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You not within a twentieth part of the market price." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in his hands." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and laid it on the table. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, memory. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I shall continue with my miserable story. "Could he throw no light?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And what then?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hour." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to his chemical studies. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "About a month then." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the which we had just quitted. "But she could not love him." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to a light-house. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "And help." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Eyford." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, exactly what you advise." "Yes." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit charged with?" that you wished to speak to me?' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I will not look." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the in this way: coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be giving me time to thank him. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I will try. What is it?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. we went to search for him, face downward in a little galvanised. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and colonel looking down at me. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you came in." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "A greater distance to travel." to talk it over. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it very peculiar words of the dying woman?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Surrey." have an American origin." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like when your master had gone out." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is indiscretion." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my once more to my work. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And now?" He raised his hand. events than those which have happened in my own family." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. passage and a tap at the door. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Stolen!' he cried. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner next day. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it my secret was safe in his possession. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to see me here to avoid scandal." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And now?" I asked. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the opportunities to fix the problem. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and have this put in the evening papers." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Have you her photograph?" "No." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of