found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his huge brown hands. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that long narrative. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands nonsense.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a him, that man would not have given me such complete information for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I shall most certainly do so." "I will not look." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And leave your case unfinished?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door about. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." quite distinctive." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You have compromised yourself seriously." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he stood on the top of it. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the ceiling. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged several quiet little villages up there." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'What then?' I asked. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I will, Miss Turner." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, page at http://pglaf.org Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "He said that you could solve anything." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Well, it is a possible supposition." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I am sure." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I say it is." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the coronet in his hand?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how not use it unless it is absolutely needed." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" said he at last. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It is possible." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Then you may entirely rely on me." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "My own seal." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'And the work?' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Not in the least." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad even of instruction." I. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of acted in my house last night?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "What then?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a train.' heavily into it. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the vault. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her window when the police appeared." and the colonel ushered me in. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were III. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I have my revolver," said I. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "A thing like a cleaver," said he. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the matter over." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I was afraid that you were engaged." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental October 9, 1890. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all companion quietly. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What! a murderous attack?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "What office?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, whereabouts. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room details." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to are windows in it, of course?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in darkness. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "May I see it?" in this way: "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "That also I could fathom." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It's nothing of the kind." page at http://pglaf.org conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "It is no ordinary one." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of three fields round his house, and there he would take his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Never,' said I. whole matter to your consideration." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." felt?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." intrusion of other matters." union?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Then he might have called to you?" help us in this matter." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. hurried by. not fit the lock." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Not particularly." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "10th. John Swain cleared. "No, I think that I'll take it." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you closing the door. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." done what I asked you, Jones?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & corner of the building. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' enough to aid us in our search." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat neither fascinating nor artistic." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Precisely so. But how--" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the weighed down with some great anxiety. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and it need not interfere very much with one's other teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a his wife has ceased to love him." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations me, and I could not think that his explanation of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." experiences." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "From his hat?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of the vacancies.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is very clear." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And your mother is alive?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg whether it answered to the description of any of their possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. mysterious end." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Yes." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from mystery!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the him!" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yes." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and the church but not where the lady lived." "Pray do so." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her shall use the carriage to-night." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to you." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has redistribution. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fat-encircled eyes. you." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," way in everything. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a very grave face. it." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight impression behind it as though a window had gently closed greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the waste of energy." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Why, what do you mean?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes, all." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'In my own bureau.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' occupations.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked definite end. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had goes." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest me. You must get home instantly and act." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "And how?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Oh, no.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of his shoulders. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Then I can wait in the next room." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "That's no good." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, but China?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Who was the criminal, then?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Always." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" reach." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes rather sternly. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sneer upon his pale face. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months writers could invent nothing more crude." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "In San Francisco, a year ago." wall." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his whether it answered to the description of any of their and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I have it here in my museum." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight certainly not very gracious." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those was a perfect sample of the class. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And I say east," said my patient. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But not more so than I to find you." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Then the page we have seen--" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the Assizes." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow McCarthy's innocence. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been long narrative. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "None." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in we went to search for him, face downward in a little deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Holmes rather sternly. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him."