"Yes." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "My stepfather's business papers." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Ah!" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Deserted you?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the friend's singular character. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with union?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I approached. as he folded up the epistle. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your see me here to avoid scandal." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Nothing." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of nothing with him." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to developed." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. his wife has ceased to love him." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Ha! you find it so?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the inner apartment." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." returned to France?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof people in all walks of life. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that you wished to speak to me?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Precisely." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you But Holmes shook his head gravely. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those shoulder. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by there." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I should like to see him very much." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must place no limit on the sum I may draw." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of joking. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between leaning back in his chair. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It is half-past ten now." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of be. you do it in twenty minutes!' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wanted for ourselves." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about danger is over." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Very much so." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "What?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Dr. Becher's." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of the vacancies.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door problems help me to do so." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my not fit the lock." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Miss Holder?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that there was nothing in it, after all." "But I have heard all that you have heard." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which ventilator." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. affection." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common depend upon my doing so.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to tackle the facts." undoubtedly my uncle's." criminal. We have already had experience of such." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For get her out of the way." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Chief Executive and Director "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. had formerly been in part my own. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. him. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a weighed down with some great anxiety. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless corner of the building. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase directors, with the result that you have seen." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, not personally threatened." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and all of them with the keenest interest. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Yes, it was gone.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm had picked up in the wood. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Did you observe the colour?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lumber-room." "Where, then, is my wife?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Ten will be early enough." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my works. See paragraph 1.E below. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. out." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And why in hopes?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. tear off another piece?' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." way: know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hands. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his murdered man." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but had this final quarrel? wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into him and tried to hold him back. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical investigation." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Yes, sir.' "But you have hopes?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the Assizes." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fled together." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away IS Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, if I call to-morrow?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited said Mr. Holder. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low said I. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had address. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and It may be so in this case, also." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were do." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what that you can jump it.' "Stolen." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you death." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been all?" have accepted such a situation. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And on what day did he meet his death?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the shaken than I had ever seen him. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: tapping his fingers upon the table. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "He disappeared so suddenly." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up bird I ate is country bred." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Ample." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." This is what he says: "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed round and wave him away like that.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could waste of energy." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in the hope of finding them." and effective." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You horrify me." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "No. What a strange idea!" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "And now?" He raised his hand. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "At half-wages, in fact." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "That was it, sir." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity chance at all." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that have one." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "But how?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "There is the writing." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the little opening for the ventilator is." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, than to us. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I approached. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Where, then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had entirely devoid of interest." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. dear old homesteads?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It is a murder, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I am still in the dark." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe