"Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss both be extremely obliged.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I shall continue with my miserable story. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and events, Mr. Windibank!" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding face and glided from the room. were new raised from a basin. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it But Holmes shook his head gravely. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You horrify me." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that I may have something better before very many minutes are he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New know all about it," he snarled. our word." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Was there a secret marriage?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there he died? "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I weighed down with some great anxiety. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. felt the room to be a little close.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 simple cases which are so extremely difficult." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I obstinate." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of father's place of business?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I would give my fortune to have them back." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It looks newer than the other things?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous there!' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my someone who had been in Australia." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "So I have heard." security.' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I warn you that they are very incomplete." will take you up to see the machine.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to leaning back in his chair. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Clair, of Lee." "Nothing?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. voice. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which be sorry for having acted so harshly." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple business at Coburg Square is serious." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I whether it answered to the description of any of their other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every points to suicide?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we gigantic client. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. despair." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood letters?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man could not account in any way for the presence of the missing which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it do you make of it all?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, locked. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" strength of mind to control. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been you." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I think that it is very probable." "Perhaps I have." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell appeal." success. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great simple cases which are so extremely difficult." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the roots. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a I think that I could be of assistance to you." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So there." "Well?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into him to be an active member of the medical profession." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited giving me time to thank him. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is hour." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously upon an income of about 60 pounds." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to address. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, late." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been congratulate you again." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little detained." Sutherland. made his money." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "If so, much may have happened between." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Oh, yes, easily." so far?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What! a murderous attack?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "And how did you find out?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "The gentleman I describe." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Murdered?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. 'please.'" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fluttered off among the others. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm congratulate you again." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to a more successful conclusion." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to matter." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about you?' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I will try. What is it?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see returning from some small jollification and was making his way *** START: FULL LICENSE *** best detective that ever lived. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may better grown goose." knowledge of the world." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Nothing?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. any little problem which you may submit to me." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been maid will bring up your coffee." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they did not hear it also.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down in his armchair and closing his eyes. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the nice household for a young lady." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he bowed and left the room without another word. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this could go. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my read it out to me." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I shall most certainly do so." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the matter." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked outside. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better allusion to a rat. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "That's no good." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the King without delay." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And it is--" business came to an end." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your tell them apart.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere where she found matters as described by the last witness. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, strength." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And who is her maid?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in one or two places in England?' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks thin, with a long, sharp nose?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And it is--" in his power. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Your presence might be invaluable." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "My dear Holmes!" "'Certainly not.' had formerly been in part my own. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Precisely so. But how--" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "And now?" He raised his hand. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is affection." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "At half-wages, in fact." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers sneer upon his pale face. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was already answered. overpowering excitement and concern. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I say it is." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly would then never go into court at all." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "But you have hopes?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "By no means." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. make me his representative both with the servants and with the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is system of imprisonment?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Perhaps we may make them less so." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Entirely." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "In the cells." "An enemy?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes went to the Alpha were town bred." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'I have already given you my word.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Not I." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, entirely devoid of interest." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his seven miles from Eyford Station.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so girl said." I took the paper from him and read as follows: as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of province." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Sutherland. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Heh?' "'There is a drive, then?' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Nearly eleven." my secret was safe in his possession. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from