Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "He might." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of them?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, spare." on in his house." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened putting in the horse. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But you can know nothing of this?" "And you can do nothing until then?" have not had my rubber." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, clang of the bell. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You are all wrong." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then you may be so with me." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gives a meaning to it." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the vault. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "That is it on the dressing-table." fait accompli?" "No." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "My dear Holmes!" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "How did that help you?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in a very precise fashion." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, morning." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "But what will you do?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the never came back." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes. true." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. should be taken.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the stones. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as chill to my heart. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. happened." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Nearly eleven." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." indeed happy." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" pound a week." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper do you make of it all?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself all that?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and all of them with the keenest interest. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the exactly what you advise." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Gutenberg-tm License. feature." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Street. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned way in everything. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." was used.' drove away. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the humiliation." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and there!' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the driver. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. done what I asked you, Jones?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Of Friday, June 19th." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang definite end. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I cannot imagine." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is a murder, then?" "I beg pardon." as he folded up the epistle. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the iron safe, which he closed upon it. is acting for the best. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which infinite languor in his face. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Here?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then what has happened to him?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the station." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Because he was handy and would come cheap." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Have you her photograph?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hardly wander." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" electronic works he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in events, Mr. Windibank!" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink your own bird, so if you wish--" upon the sideboard." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that any little problem which you may submit to me." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two eat it." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And from a noble client?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and you in your example." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "How did you deduce the select?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his forehead." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly than to us. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a down. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the stones. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" you do it in twenty minutes!' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Why that?' I asks. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, populous neighbourhood." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage off." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and over with notes and figures. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Then how many are there?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'Certainly not.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Pray continue your narrative." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss IS ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Was he the only applicant?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts giving me time to thank him. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I will try. What is it?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "We have tried and failed." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with hurried by. carpenter." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he an introduction to him?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Farm upon the left." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers when your master had gone out." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would go back?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility peculiar to him. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the letters?" your most interesting statement." do.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" details." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'Stolen!' he cried. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "In San Francisco, a year ago." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the your own bird, so if you wish--" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Gutenberg-tm License. that?' main points of my analysis." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to change my dress. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us vault. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand 11:15.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I nodded again. "Yes?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to of Fenchurch Street." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Get out!" said he. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I was afraid that you were engaged." said he. burst out into a roar of laughter. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire disappearance of these gems?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I