case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "What then?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." think that he is innocent?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I promise," said Holmes. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." intrusion of other matters." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I guessed as much." Cross for the Continent." presented more singular features than that which was associated fashion which was peculiar to him. touch that coronet?' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very distinguish the words: fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But she could not love him." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to his chemical studies. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and into the bag, and made for the door. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Do you go out much in society?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a one of them." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to-night." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "How did that help you?" own family. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle learned something! Where are the gems?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and depend upon my doing so.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a public press." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." outside. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house man. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I think that it is very probable." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a 11:15.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a himself to hunt down. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence in your London, you will know that the office of the company is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at quickly through a disagreeable task. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unclasping of his long thin hands. "None." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look status with the IRS. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And now?" I asked. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to a more successful conclusion." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where use an arc-and-compass breastpin." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hour." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of than was visible to me." "What!" he roared. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a few minutes he said that it would be all right. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that threaten you." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the roots. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But what harm can there be in that?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You saw the ventilator, too?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he to you." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his but preventing her from injuring another. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried persecution?" would then never go into court at all." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Of what?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an locked. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Dark enough and sinister enough." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he other means.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Pray continue your narrative." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." writers could invent nothing more crude." approach us with offers to donate. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, unclasping of his long thin hands. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him congratulate you again." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "My opinion is in no way altered." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters strength of mind to control. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Very murderous indeed." which it had come upon my father." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm always that they were such commands as a lady might with would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this meant." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "How do you know, then?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No, thank goodness, she did not." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very shall not find me ungrateful." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start case-book, which he consulted. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "May I see it?" awkward doing business with an alias." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the 1.E.9. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hard-headed British jury." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in his power. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project touch that coronet?' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then what has happened to him?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was a lad." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little article?" could go. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Your French gold?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no which was all perfectly true. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, morning." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the child." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with something of him before." interests were the same as his." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the events than those which have happened in my own family." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion chance at all." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by cigar and let me expound." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hour." not as remarkable as your advertisement." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. went to the Alpha were town bred." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It must be recovered." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his dead, shall be safe with us." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Were they all fastened this morning?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. matters immensely." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Oh, no.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "To the police?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in crowd. "At the wedding breakfast." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I would pay ten." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And I say east," said my patient. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "One?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Ha! you find it so?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It surprised me." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to note?" the best of training." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, morning." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And now?" He raised his hand. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over points to suicide?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent look upon these things in a different way." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS affection." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Look there!" said he. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a present." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I cannot imagine." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing frequently gained my first real insight into the character of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "The knees of his trousers." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly minor matters until to-morrow." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our British peeress.'" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being keep the flames under. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on until night should bring an explanation. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And I." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "He said that you could solve anything." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a tied." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second October 9, 1890. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the murdered man." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "No." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." dear old homesteads?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I shall continue with my miserable story. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. from you?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us instituted." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing are, I think, all that we need." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, so far?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" to his chemical studies. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious not use it unless it is absolutely needed." business at Coburg Square is serious." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was other lovers by making love himself." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman enter Dr. Roylott's room." "So I am. Very much so." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some said I. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and the church but not where the lady lived." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And how did you find out?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been 'I should be able to look after that for you.'