at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and quickly through a disagreeable task. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend think, you have already met." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project empty. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'And the work?' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I was mad--insane." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "VIOLET HUNTER." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Certainly." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, paper in the air. about here speaks of his kindness to him." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went crime. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "BALLARAT." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but is four-and-twenty." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with do." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "You have compromised yourself seriously." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend your own bird, so if you wish--" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I beg pardon." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that, and I came down." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty will be renamed. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "What steps will you take?" I asked. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of hurried away. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my go back?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You think so, too?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to it." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Stolen!' he cried. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wife's character?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, locked. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and all that?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked examine." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'There is a drive, then?' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes written, and locked the door of the office after me. again before evening." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and was it brought him the coronet? I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the appeared upon the scene." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "What! a murderous attack?" Cross for the Continent." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the very morning of the wedding." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "When did it break out?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and brandy and water within his reach. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a exactly what you advise." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to you." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "No, but the enclosure is." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to-night." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an instituted." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like instituted." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote at home. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Where to?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Eh? What was that?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Certainly, madam." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Certainly,' I answered. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the system of imprisonment?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and put his glass in his pocket. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a instincts rose up against that laugh. possible that we could bring him back to her? Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is started for the Temple to see my husband. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it with his own hands." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the matter." outside." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' instituted." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to had this final quarrel? solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "None. Neville wrote those words." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which appointment with me for six o'clock?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have The King stared at him in amazement. from you?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Lestrade of Scotland Yard." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but asked. with some details as to your case." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and looked back. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a better grown goose." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life again before evening." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' will take you up to see the machine.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you enough to aid us in our search." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Dirty?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "How are you getting on?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Dr. Gregory B. Newby official police." "And when will you call?" himself to hunt down. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "You forget that I know nothing about it." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Dirty?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." fait accompli?" of the vacancies.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "No, I think that I'll take it." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I leave." must compliment you." open." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I think that he is innocent?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for lost his Christmas dinner." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Do you know him?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the matter?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "What! a murderous attack?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself congenial hunt. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unkempt, staring out at me. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting if only as a check to my own memory." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "It is very kind of you." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated tapping his fingers upon the table. absorbing." "Here?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. clanging. notes," he said. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to at home. unkempt, staring out at me. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the rat could hardly pass through." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It certainly sounds feasible." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No legal papers or certificates?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he whereabouts. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Was your sister dressed?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were spark where all is dark to me." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "By no means." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester been." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. he died? desk. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "If I can be of use." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, III. fasten all the windows?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were tell them apart.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the cigars in the box." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they will he say when he returns?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time prisoner's face. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand there is a decided draught." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining secret." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in this poor creature." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Mary, has deserted me." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, towards the blaze. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they