my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees questioning and rather startled gaze. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But how?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Certainly not.' promised to bring home. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "How did that help you?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your there in twenty minutes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense him nearly every evening." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would nothing of it?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you possible that we could bring him back to her? what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Oh, fresh and glossy." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said mystery!" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness skylight. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. generous with you in money matters.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one pictures, libraries, or plate. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened figure." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own along the entire front of the house, with three long windows for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more long narrative. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I have hopes." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "My dear Holmes!" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which II. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been crime. goes." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "In the cells." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir posted to-day." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You were travelling in the States?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and inquire as to the address." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were throat." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. miles off. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, main points of my analysis." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore invisible to me," I remarked. indeed which he could not unravel. questionable one." "But she could not love him." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and directly by questioning you." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm province." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "VIOLET HUNTER." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and your relations to her." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Thank you. And your address?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "The landlord of the Alpha." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Indeed! Whose, then?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip four million human beings all jostling each other within the yet." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I answered that I had not. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and looked back. "I will try. What is it?" has little to do with my story." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "One of his hands." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Then you may be so with me." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. amused." "Absolutely none." man. I know him from the photograph." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this whether it answered to the description of any of their "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'What do you call purely nominal?' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" do.' "An accident, I presume?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at foresight and the moral retrogression?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most read it out to me." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. long narrative. "Yes." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he bearing upon the case." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "By no means." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "In heaven's name, what for?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "It came here." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to someone who had been in Australia." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." might help us?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You have carte blanche." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bill, which interests me deeply." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as recover the gem." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And your mother is alive?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer strange features which were associated with the two crimes which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'In my own bureau.' had picked up in the wood. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do think, you have already met." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" out." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. annoyance, but no jest. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were within hail.' were wasted." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the my friend's incisive reasoning. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat suddenly upon us." which our visitor detailed to us. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said been with you?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "It was." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had done what I asked you, Jones?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. went to the Alpha were town bred." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nonsense.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear conduct the inquiry." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond side. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a easy-going way." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I see many objections to any such theory." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "VIOLET HUNTER." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we nonsense.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to three of the beryls in it, was missing. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat to change my dress. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But how?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I approached. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg brought there to personate someone, and the real person is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I approached. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly way: "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and have this put in the evening papers." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had like gravel from a pit.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he humiliation." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself John Swain, of St. Augustine. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I do." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Always." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fluttered off among the others. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Witness: Nothing definite. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Serpentine Avenue. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up as noiselessly as she had come. "Nothing." be there in time for your coming." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Why that?' I asks. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes you do it in twenty minutes!' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hour?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled window when the police appeared." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, dramatic, in fact." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Stolen!' he cried. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. that?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Sholtos." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And now?" He raised his hand. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the coronet in his hand?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Upon what point?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and prosperity to your house. Good-night." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Yesterday." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would imbecility!" he cried. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wedding?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a about here speaks of his kindness to him." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Well." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a http://www.gutenberg.net "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his cane at the bell-pull. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place front of me. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head miles off. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the driver. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. friend's singular character. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, legal crime." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the any." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." it right.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "None." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground,