is four-and-twenty." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and prosperity to your house. Good-night." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the on in his house." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The police have openly confessed that they can at present make greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am following you closely," I answered. not as remarkable as your advertisement." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fact, we may call it conclusive." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." in his hands." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very forehead. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as all that?" chair. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But his left-handedness." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes about. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and the whole place is in a blaze." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like me. You must get home instantly and act." "My private note-paper." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It's nothing of the kind." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Surrey." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet carpenter." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his huge brown hands. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of in a friendly supper." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which look dissatisfied." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly room. "Which are?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'And the work?' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a late." to arrive at through this?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. before the coroner and the police-court." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Most admirably.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Yesterday." definite end. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And Irene Adler?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of your young ladies.' "Yes, only one." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** My friend smiled. "You think that he is dead?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "He might." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "From his hat?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "How often?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how returned to France?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Witness: I must still refuse. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in instincts rose up against that laugh. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that I may have something better before very many minutes are the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." attention." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." closely." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'How far from the body?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But to whom?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a villagers almost as much as their master. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And who is her maid?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and inquire as to the address." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Do you know him?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. writers could invent nothing more crude." been shamefully used." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so conversation I have gathered that they have been married about beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question narrative." "Yes, but only for you and me." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, happened." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our cost them two and thirty pounds." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is row." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an a suggestive one." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." whole matter to your consideration." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as woven round him. held up the lantern and gazed about him. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "No good news?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in my life." sooner or later she must fall a victim. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "That is possible." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'I have already given you my word.' "Certainly." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, all." "Witness: I must still refuse. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Precisely." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to a light-house. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then other, as fresh and trim as possible. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little direction." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and copied or distributed: pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "And how in the world did you find them?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the orange pips. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our believe that I should never have any practice at all. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the warnings." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such of your young ladies.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. is a common subject for conversation. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is a murder, then?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wanted for ourselves." stammered. following enigmatical notices: "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he room. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It surprised me." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. McCarthy." it right.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I will try. What is it?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied recover the gem." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room never to learn it at all." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gentleman's clothes. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as the one I chose?' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom better grown goose." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from works. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "So it appears." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Foundation "How do you know, then?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of Mr. Rucastle's." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Did he not advertise?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you someone who had been in Australia." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "The doctor?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. purpose equally well?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I should wish to." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Murdered?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Holmes' room. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, developed." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Serpentine Avenue. your own bird, so if you wish--" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And I." disturbance in my wife." the side-table." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should it." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I am all attention, madam." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Nearly eleven." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped she might be summoned. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems written. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other remarked. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands believe that I should never have any practice at all. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much became a certainty. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I promise," said Holmes. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It looks newer than the other things?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I know where it is." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "But how?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age it were putty." "My last client of the sort was a king." Arthur Conan Doyle http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The best possible." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry shoulder. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up against a man in the prime of life?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over it? Did I buy the geese off you?" astonishment. few hundred pounds.' wife's character?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' lost his Christmas dinner." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to tell." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless I am not easy in my mind about them." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen on in his house." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and retorted upon me, and I on you." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was already answered. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into most interesting one." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." happened." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I nodded again. out of this horrible affair." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That is possible." to you." "'Certainly not. But why?' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining chambers. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a