The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his dates and names. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser colour had been driven from his face. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then quickly through a disagreeable task. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Pray do so." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At second." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses nothing with him." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'And what salary do you ask?' strength of mind to control. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the bottom.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your said he. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fluttered off among the others. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." photograph?" "Pray do so." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled telegram would bring me down to your help." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It is solved." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a despaired of." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you had died away into the silence from which it rose. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds him to be an active member of the medical profession." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Does that suggest anything?" directors, with the result that you have seen." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project is four-and-twenty." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six your bag." "I am sure." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Come in!" said Holmes. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "To the police?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a back into the street. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' indeed which he could not unravel. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the be best to do. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Holmes' room. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the highly," said Holmes. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' certainly do as you advise." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What shall I do?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't showing my impatience. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so closely." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Dark enough and sinister enough." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I be.' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the cigars in the box." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the room. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the is," said he presently: furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my McCarthy's innocence. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to future lives." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before whatever might befall. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive John Swain, of St. Augustine. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, electronic works the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to presume?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Mary, has deserted me." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's bill, which interests me deeply." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who criminal. We have already had experience of such." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Tired-looking or fresh?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It was." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Certainly." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "But how?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have had none more fantastic than this." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your a very grave face. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "In the cells." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Then I do not see the point." furiously. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the compunction about shooting them down." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and up this clue while it is still hot." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet official police." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are father's young wife. "You know me, then?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the of the vacancies.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "No?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, thirty. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "What I expected to see." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow drove away. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Nothing?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was me. You must get home instantly and act." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I fear not." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "What shall I do?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You are all wrong." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her chamber." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Entirely." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "What can you not understand?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Lestrade of Scotland Yard." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Ah, but I was recommended to you." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes, there are nearly always some there." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "That is easily got." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Cross for the Continent." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even will take you up to see the machine.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your this Miss Turner." 'please.'" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while putting in the horse. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I shall continue with my miserable story. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes, it was twisted." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, name is different." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how States. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it hour." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You have carte blanche." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Eyford." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fish-monger and a tide-waiter." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair investigation." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope gentleman's clothes. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But of what society?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled is," said he presently: "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it means?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "How did that help you?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It is his hat." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Not yet." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that is four-and-twenty." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for most important business. It is probable that he will be away all here." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some few hundred pounds.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique have established a very serious case against the son of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I shall continue with my miserable story. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "On your arm?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Of what?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness crackling voice. matter." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" had picked up in the wood. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long before, for it was considerably after midnight. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do lips." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "But his lameness?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred point in the dark hollow of his hand. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "How are you getting on?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. exactly what you advise." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to again." "In answer to an advertisement." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I am following you closely," I answered. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and wait." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled